Very low-calorie diets (VLCD) are hypocaloric dietary regimens of approximately 400–800 kcal/day that result in 20–30% reductions in body weight, sometimes in just 12–16 weeks. A body of evidence demonstrates that adherence to VLCD in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) can result in marked improvements to glycemic control and even full T2D remission, challenging the convention that T2D is a lifelong disease. Although these data are promising, the majority of VLCD studies have focused on weight loss and not T2D remission as a primary endpoint. Moreover, there is a wide range of VLCD protocols and definitions of T2D remission used across these hypocaloric studies. Together the large degree of heterogeneity in VLCD studies, and how T2D remission is defined, leave many gaps in knowledge to efficacy and durability of VLCD approaches for T2D remission. This narrative review examines findings from a body of data from VLCD studies that specifically sought to investigate T2D remission, and discusses the efficacy of VLCD compared to other hypocaloric approaches, and who is likely to benefit from VLCD approaches for T2D remission.
Background
In response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, telehealth digital applications (apps) permitted the delivery of health care to millions of individuals, including those with poor access to health services.
Aim
To review a body of evidence demonstrating that telehealth and mobile health (mHealth) apps can promote clinically meaningful weight loss, and thus hold potential to increase access to treatment and weight loss care for individuals suffering from obesity.
Results
Data from COVID‐19 pandemic revealed that access to telehealth and mHealth remains a challenge for underserved communities that are disproportionately affected by obesity.
Conclusions
The development of telehealth and mHealth for obesity treatment must be informed by the success and failures of telehealth during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Failure to do so, risks alienating the very populations that stand most to benefit from telehealth and mHealth apps for obesity treatment.
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