Eating less and moving more - it does work for Diabetes

For the first time, doctors have convincing evidence that overweight people can lower their risk of diabetes by slimming and exercising.

Those who are obese and sedentary are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes.

Studies had suggested better diet and exercise could delay or prevent the disease, and doctors have long offered such advice to patients.

Finnish research is the first study to show this approach really works.

"This is now the proof that it can be done," says Dr Jaakko Tuomilehto of Finland's National Public Health Institute, who led the research, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The researchers calculated that the risk of diabetes was reduced by 58 per cent in patients who were counselled on how to lose weight, change their diet, and exercise, compared with those who received only general advice.

"This gives us a challenge now to identify people at risk and begin to really focus on those individuals to make sure they recognise the need for lifestyle changes," says Dr Robert Sherwin, president of the American Diabetes Association and a professor of medicine.

Diabetes is the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States and is a growing problem worldwide. At least 16 million Americans have diabetes, which prevents the body from regulating blood sugar.

The disease can lead to blindness, kidney damage, amputation and heart disease. Some of the risk factors include age, obesity, a family history of diabetes and a lack of exercise.

The Finnish study involved 522 men and women who were middle-aged and overweight and had high blood sugar but not diabetes.

Half the group got help losing weight and improving their diet, decreasing fat and increasing fibre, and increasing their daily exercise to at least 30 minutes. Periodically, they saw a nutritionist, who went food shopping with some participants.

Dr Tuomilehto says: "They got very detailed, individual advice, not only about what was in their food but also how to prepare it."

The comparison group received advice and written information about diet and exercise but was not offered any specific programmes.

The participants were followed for about three years. During the first year, the average weight loss was about 4kg in the group that got detailed advice, compared with an average of less than 1kg for the other group.

Diabetes was diagnosed in 27 people in the group that received advice and 59 in the other group.

A similar study is under way in the US, the results of which are expected next year.

- NZPA