The Effects of a Commercially Available Weight Loss Program among Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of a commercially available weight loss program on weight and glycemic control among obese patients with type 2 diabetes. Participants included 69 patients (49 females, 20 males) with type 2 diabetes who had a mean +/- SD age of 52.2 +/- 9.5 years, a body mass index of 39.0 +/- 6.2 kg/m(2), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of 7.5 +/- 1.6%. Over half (52.2%) of the participants were African American. Participants were randomly assigned to: 1) a portion-controlled diet (NutriSystem D) (PCD) or 2) a diabetes support and education (DSE) program. After the initial 3 months, the PCD group continued on the PCD for the remaining 3 months, and the DSE group crossed over to PCD for the remaining 3 months. The primary comparison for this study was at 3 months. At 3 months, the PCD group lost significantly more weight (7.1 +/- 4%) than the DSE group (0.4 +/- 2.3%) (P < 0.0001). From 3 to 6 months the change in weight for both groups was statistically significant. After 3 months, the PCD group had greater reductions in HbA1c than the DSE group (-0.88 +/- 1.1 vs 0.03 +/- 1.09; P < 0.001). From 3 to 6 months the PCD group had no further change in HbA1c, while the DSE group showed a significant reduction. These data suggest that obese patients with type 2 diabetes will experience significant improvements in weight, glycemic control, and cardiovascular disease risk factors after the use of a commercially available weight management program.

ESR1, FTO, and UCP2 Genes Interact with Bariatric Surgery Affecting Weight Loss and Glycemic Control in Severely Obese Patients

“…The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and hyperglycemia is increasing all over the world, as well as among people of Han Chinese ethnicity in Taiwan [3]. Obese patients benefit greatly from any type of weight loss, whether resulting from lifestyle modification, oral medication, or bariatric surgery [4][5][6][7][8], but bariatric surgery is the sole method that has been proven to result in significant weight loss for severely obese patients [8,9]. Gastric banding (restrictive type surgery) and gastric bypass (malabsorptive surgery) are the two most commonly performed bariatric surgeries worldwide [10].…”

Use of the Medifast Meal Replacement Program for Weight Loss in Overweight and Obese Clients: A Retrospective Chart Review of Three Medifast Weight Control Centers (MWCC)

“…These employ a variety of strategies, including the use of MRs. Several commercial programs have been studied; research publications include those of both proponents and critics [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. In general, the main criticisms of commercial weight-loss programs include cost [25], attrition rates [26], modest weight loss results, and overall suboptimal evidence to support their use [25].…”

Effects of tea combined with high-protein meal replacement shakes on anthropometric measurements, lipid profiles, cellular biochemistry, neurochemistry, and microbial metabolism: a prospective observational study

“…[2][3][4][5] Calorie restriction, without malnutrition of essential nutrients, may also improve mitochondria efficiency and reduce oxidative stress in association with decreases in DNA damage and 24-hour energy expenditure. 6,7,12,45 As shown previously for other commercially available meal 12 NutriSystem (Fort Washington, PA), 13 Healthy Solutions (Health Management Resources® Corporation (HMR), Boston, MA), 14 Standard Process (Palmyra, WI), 15 and Ultra-Slim Fast (Unilever Bestfoods, Englewood Cliffs, NJ), 46 the Isagenix 28-day program is an effective and safe weight loss program. Increasing the number of evidence-based weight management interventions available to clinicians for disease prevention is important to address the individualized eating habits of patients and the constraints of time, knowledge, and costs of the providing clinicians.…”

“…[8][9][10][11] However, accurate information about weight loss and safety among commercially available meal replacement products is still emerging. 8,[12][13][14] Recommendations of safe, evidence-based commercial weight management programs are essential in the treatment of overweight and obese patients, as these programs can address time constraints, costeffectiveness, and training of primary care providers with respect to providing effective nutritional intervention services for disease prevention. 13,[15][16][17] Although sufficient evidence is lacking to support a causal relationship between increasing body mass index and low back pain or on the effectiveness of weight loss in reducing low back pain and increasing function, overweight and obese patients with low back pain are often advised by health care professional to lose weight.…”

“…8,[12][13][14] Recommendations of safe, evidence-based commercial weight management programs are essential in the treatment of overweight and obese patients, as these programs can address time constraints, costeffectiveness, and training of primary care providers with respect to providing effective nutritional intervention services for disease prevention. 13,[15][16][17] Although sufficient evidence is lacking to support a causal relationship between increasing body mass index and low back pain or on the effectiveness of weight loss in reducing low back pain and increasing function, overweight and obese patients with low back pain are often advised by health care professional to lose weight. 16 Providing primary care providers with evidence-based weight loss options from commercially available products is beneficial to their clinical practices because they are easy to administer and supervise while simultaneously promoting health benefits, for example, reduction of cardiovascular disease risk factors or low back pain, and providing their patients with meal replacement options that fit their lifestyle, nutritional preferences or eating habits, and economic status.…”