Plate aids diabetes weight loss
Using a simple portion control dinner plate can help people with type 2 diabetes lose weight and decrease reliance on medication, research shows.
Canadian researchers put people with type 2 diabetes on a calorie-controlled diet for six months.
They found 17% of those who used a calibrated diet plate lost more than 5% of their body weight, compared with just 4.5% who did not.
The study appears in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine.
In the majority of cases type 2 diabetes is linked to carrying excess weight - 80% of people are overweight at diagnosis, and doctors recognise that weight loss can greatly improve the condition.
However, many people with diabetes find it hard to stick to a weight loss regime.
The researchers tested the effect of using a calibrated dinner plate and breakfast bowl that helps people to eat healthy sized portions.
On average those who used the diet plates lost 1.75% of their body weight, compared with just 0.05% in the group who had to rely on will power alone.
As a result, they were also much more likely to be able to decrease their reliance on diabetes-controlling medication, including shots of insulin.
As good as drugs
Lead researcher Dr Sue Pederson said the results were comparable to those achieved by taking expensive weight loss drugs.
She said: “The weight loss results are all the more impressive considering that diabetics in general do not respond well to weight loss programmes.”
Dr Ian Campbell, medical director of the charity Weight Concern, said: “Losing weight is never easy and even harder for diabetics.
“To achieve these results over a six month period is excellent and with no more side effects than an occasional decrease in blood glucose, easily corrected by a reduction in medication, is very impressive indeed.”
Tracy Kelly, of the charity Diabetes UK, said eating a healthy balanced diet and taking regular physical activity were the best ways of controlling weight and effectively managing diabetes.
“Cutting down on portion sizes and eating balanced meals will help people control their weight, therefore some people may find this plate useful.
“However, controlling weight can be achieved effectively without spending extra money.
“A healthy balanced diet should be based on carbohydrates and be low in fat, sugar and salt with plenty of fruit and vegetables.”
December 11th, 2008 at
Yes, I must say, that is quite a discussion going on here. I feel very informed with some new natural ideas.
thanks!
December 22nd, 2008 at
How simple ideas, far away from pharmaceutical companies, can lead to good results.
Thank you for sharing this informative piece of information with me, because I’m concerned.