Click here to sign in with or
Forget Password?
Learn more
share this!
86
11
Share
Email
November 25, 2022
by University of Glasgow
People of South Asian ethnicity may be able to achieve type 2 diabetes remissions by following a structured weight management program, according to a new study which saw one third of participants lose more than 10% of their body weight.
The findings from the STANDby trial—led by the University of Glasgow and published in The Lancet Regional Health—Southeast Asia—used a formula diet as “total diet replacement” for up to 12 weeks in people of South Asian ethnicity, and found sufficient weight loss was achieved by around 40% of all participants to allow for remission of their type 2 diabetes.
Globally, type 2 diabetes (T2D) affects over 400 million people, and almost 4 million, or one in ten adults in the UK.
Around one in four people worldwide are of South Asian origin, with considerably higher risk of T2D than the general UK/European white population, developing the condition at a lower body mass index and at younger ages.
Recent work from the DiRECT study, also led by the University of Glasgow, has shown how weight loss of 10 kg or more, using an evidence-based weight management program called “Counterweight-Plus,” resulted in remission of diabetes after one year, in 70% of people with diagnosed T2D of less than six years’ duration. Almost half (46%) of all participants in the DiRECT study achieved remission. However, in DiRECT, almost all participants were white British, so more research was required to understand its implications in other ethnic groups.
The STANDby now shows similar T2D remission rates in those of South Asian ethnicity as those previously seen in white cohorts with the same weight management program. Without diet treatment none of 12 participants in the control group had remission, but after they had also received the diet program, 10 out of a total of 23 participants (43%) were free from diabetes, without need for medication.
The key to success was weight loss, which reduces the damaging fat accumulation in the liver of people with type 2 diabetes. Overall, 35% of participants lost over 10% bodyweight, and liver fat content nearly halved, from a very high 15.3% at the start of total diet replacement to 8.6%.
Prof Naveed Sattar, from the University of Glasgow’s School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, said, “It was incredibly important to examine whether the same diet intervention could have the same effect on the south Asian population; so while this study is based on a small cohort of participants, the findings should have far-reaching consequences for a large proportion of the world’s diabetes population, to contribute to development of culturally-optimal practical approaches for type 2 diabetes remission. New studies should also aim to find new ways to maximize sustainability of weight loss over the longer period.”
Prof Mike Lean, at the University of Glasgow’s School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, added, “Until recently, people have really not taken type 2 diabetes or its treatment seriously enough. Our study has produced an impressive outcome, reversing an often dreadful disabling chronic disease, and another very strong message that the crucial mechanism underpinning type 2 diabetes remission is weight change with loss of liver fat. We hope our study will offer hope, and increase support, for this ethnic group at particularly high risk, with health care providers prioritizing evidence-based weight management for remission of type 2 diabetes.”
The study recruited 25 adults of South Asian ethnicity within the UK, aged between18–65 years, with type 2 diabetes for four of less years and with a BMI of between 25–45. Participants were randomized to immediately commence either total diet replacement (around 850 kcal/day for three to five months) or delayed intervention as a usual care control arm during this period. Liver fat content was measured by Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, which is not a routine clinical investigation.
Intervention effects were tested in an initial randomized comparison powered to detect significant weight loss, and in an expanded observational analysis, after the initial control group had also received the intervention, to determine remission effect size in a larger number.
The study is published in Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia.
Explore further
Facebook
Twitter
Email
Feedback to editors
16 hours ago
1
Nov 24, 2022
0
Nov 24, 2022
0
Nov 24, 2022
0
Nov 23, 2022
0
15 hours ago
16 hours ago
16 hours ago
16 hours ago
16 hours ago
16 hours ago
17 hours ago
18 hours ago
19 hours ago
19 hours ago
Sep 22, 2022
Apr 01, 2022
Jun 01, 2021
Sep 27, 2021
Nov 02, 2021
May 18, 2022
Nov 23, 2022
Nov 23, 2022
Nov 22, 2022
Nov 18, 2022
Nov 17, 2022
Nov 17, 2022
Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form. For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines).
Please select the most appropriate category to facilitate processing of your request
Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors.
Your feedback is important to us. However, we do not guarantee individual replies due to the high volume of messages.
Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Neither your address nor the recipient’s address will be used for any other purpose. The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Medical Xpress in any form.
Get weekly and/or daily updates delivered to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time and we’ll never share your details to third parties.
More information Privacy policy
Daily science news on research developments and the latest scientific innovations
The latest engineering, electronics and technology advances
The most comprehensive sci-tech news coverage on the web
This site uses cookies to assist with navigation, analyse your use of our services, collect data for ads personalisation and provide content from third parties. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.