Weight loss is beneficial for those with type 2 diabetes, expert says

People with a high BMI and type 2 diabetes are less likely to achieve their HbA1c targets compared to those with a healthy weight, latest evidence has revealed.

Professor Melanie Davies, Honorary Consultant Diabetologist at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, highlighted the importance of weight loss for people with type 2 diabetes at the Obesity and Weight Management Alliance Conference last week.

Most people with type 2 diabetes live with multiple long-term conditions (MLTC) and excess adiposity, research presented at the conference has shown.

“There is an association between BMI and controlled HbA1c, therefore if we focused on weight loss, everything else will be improved. We are also now in the realm of new therapies coming through,” said Professor Davies.

Weight loss of five to 15 per cent should be a primary target in the management for many people living with type 2 diabetes, according to the research.

Additionally, the findings identified that weight loss may exert benefits that extend beyond glycaemic management to improve risk factors for cardiometabolic disease and quality of life.