The Role of Weight Loss in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Weight loss is important for the prevention of prediabetes, for halting the progression of prediabetes to diabetes, and for improving metabolic outcomes early after the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. However, as type 2 diabetes progresses from being primarily related to insulin resistance to insulin deficiency, weight loss that can be achieved by many individuals may or may not improve outcomes. A reduced energy intake continues to be essential. For some it may lead to weight loss, for some it may prevent weight regain after weight loss, and for some it may prevent weight gain, but even without weight loss, it can have beneficial effects on metabolic outcomes.