Diet, Weight Loss and Diabetes
Recognizing the value of weight loss for people with diabetes, The American Diabetes Association (ADA) issues findings regarding diets, exercise and behavior modification.
Article By: The Weight Watchers Research Department
- Modest weight loss improves insulin responsiveness and blood sugar control in individuals with insulin resistance.
- Structured programs that focus on lifestyle modification, including education, reduced calorie intake, regular physical activity, and regular participation, can produce sustained, modest (e.g., 5-7% of initial body weight) weight loss.
- Monitoring carbohydrate, whether by carbohydrate counting, choices, or experience-based estimation, remains a key strategy in achieving glycemic control.
- Regular exercise has been shown to improve blood glucose control, reduce cardiovascular risk factors, contribute to weight loss, and improve well-being.
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The Weight Watchers Approach:
The Weight Watchers approach provides a structured method to lose weight, emphasizing lifestyle modification with its healthy food plans, activity plan, behavior modification and supportive atmosphere. In a large clinical trial, Weight Watchers meetings members experienced greater weight losses than those who dieted on their own, linking regular participation in meetings with enhanced weight-loss success.2
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This content is reviewed regularly. Last updated May 15, 2011.
Other Science Library Topics:
1American Diabetes Association.
Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2011 Diabetes Care. 2011;34 (Supplement 1):S11-S61.
2Heshka S, Anderson JW, Atkinson RL, Greenway FL, Hill JO, Phinney SD, Kolotkin RL, Miller-Kovach K, Pi-Sunyer FX
Weight loss with self-help compared with a structured commercial program: a randomized trial. JAMA 2003 Apr 9;289(14):1792-8.