Brief Intensive Lifestyle Intervention Leads to Rapid Diabetes Improvements.

This prospective study examined the immediate health benefits associated with participation in a brief intensive behavioral weight and diabetes management program for individuals with type 2 diabetes. Participants were 55 adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity (mean BMI = 44.5) who completed a 4-week residential treatment program. Pretreatment and posttreatment weight, fasting glucose, lipids, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and diabetes medications were evaluated. Treatment effects were also examined by pretreatment HbA1c levels (HbA1c ≤ 7% vs. HbA1c > 7%). Significant reductions in average weight (283 to 267 lb), fasting glucose (143.2 mg/dL to 118.3 mg/dL), lipids, and HbA1c (7.5% to 6.9%) were observed after 4 weeks of treatment. Results were clinically meaningful, evidenced by mean body weight reductions, and HbA1c reductions, and mean posttreatment glucose and lipid levels being in the normal range. Nearly two thirds of participants significantly reduced or eliminated at least 1 diabetes medication. Participants having higher pretreatment HbA1c achieved greater reductions in glucose, HbA1c, and lipids. The 4-week behavioral weight and diabetes management program yielded significant weight and health improvements. This is one of the first studies to report rapid and significant HbA1c changes as a result of following moderate nutrition and physical activity guidelines while receiving diabetes management and weight loss psychoeducation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]