In a study published today on TheLancet.com, weight loss was found to be a more effective method for diabetes prevention than medication for the prevention of type 2 diabetes.
With the obesity epidemic what it is in the United States and almost two-thirds of the population considered over weight or obese, type 2 diabetes runs rampant. Georgia falls right in line with the national average with much of the state well over the 60% mark for overweight or obese residents.
In Georgia, a study found that between 2000 and 2003, about 10% of the total deaths were attributed to being overweight or obese. That equals approximately 6700 deaths per year on average.
Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes, accounts for 90% of all diabetes cases. It is estimated to affect almost 24 million people (1 in 10 adults) in the United States even though only about half of these cases are actually diagnosed. Almost 57 million people are at risk of developing the disease. Type 2 diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. and it has been determined that the death rate is 11 times higher for a person with the disease.
There is good news! This study shows that it can even be effectively prevented with a lifestyle change more effectively than with medication.
Researchers followed about 3,000 individuals identified as being at high-risk for type 2 diabetes. According to WebMD, it was one of the largest and longest studies for preventing type 2 diabetes that has ever been conducted in the U.S.
One-third of the subjects were placed on a low-fat diet and prescribed 30 minutes of exercise per day. Another third were placed on the diabetes drug, Metformin. The final third had no intervention whatsoever - diet or exercise.
The people on the diet and exercise regimen lost an average of 15 pounds during the first year with many of them reaching the predetermined goal of 7% total body weight loss. During the seven year study, this group gained an average of 10 pounds back but they continued to have the lowest rate of diabetes.
After 3 years of the study, researchers found that the diabetes rate among the participants in the diet and exercise group dropped 58% while it dropped only 38% in the group placed on Metformin when they were compared to the group that had no intervention.
Type 2 diabetes usually develop slowly over time. As has been shown, you can actually have it and not even know it. From the Mayo Clinic, here is what to look for:
- Increased thirst and frequent urination
- Increased hunger
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing sores or frequent infections
- Areas of darkened skin
If you are concerned you are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, or you have any of the above symptoms, you should contact your health care provider immediately.
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