Obesity and physical activity

The results of a small randomized trial suggest exercise is more helpful than diet for combating early cardiac dysfunction associated with type 2 diabetes, although both may be beneficial.

People who are trying to maintain weight loss with the help of electronic health records-based tracking tools do significantly better if they are given access to an online coach, shows a randomized trial.

A behavioral intervention has lasting effects on physical activity levels, fitness, and vascular risk in people with type 2 diabetes, show the 3-year results of the randomized Italian Diabetes and Exercise Study 2.

The PREVIEW project investigators have reported broadly positive results, but tempered by issues such as a high dropout rate.

Hamdy O, Ashrafzadeh S, Mottalib A. Curr Diab Rep 2018; 18: 66. doi: 10.1007/s11892-018-1030-4

Ke Q et al. Diabetol Metab Syndr 2018; 10: 48. doi: 10.1186/s13098-018-0350-5

Deng Z et al. Diabetes Ther 2018. doi: 10.1007/s13300-018-0448-7

Maskarinec G et al. Eur J Clin Nutr 2018. doi: 10.1038/s41430-018-0188-9

Findings of a randomized trial suggest that challenging people’s habits can lead to sustained weight loss, even if the habits targeted have nothing to do with healthy eating.

Editorial Board member John Wilding highlights the current evidence for the benefits of physical activity across various domains of type 2 diabetes care and prevention, presenting his view of what should be recommended.