Health · Medical Research · 4 hrs ago
Diet and exercise program led to diabetes remission in 54% of trial participants
A trial in England and Canada tested a low-calorie diet combined with structured exercise for adults with early-onset type 2 diabetes and obesity.
The 96 participants were aged 18 to 45 and were randomly assigned to the program or usual care.
The program limited daily intake to 800 to 900 calories and included supervised exercise.
After 24 weeks, 27 of the 50 people in the program group, or 54%, met the trial’s definition of remission.
That meant their blood sugar fell below the diabetes threshold without glucose-lowering medication; two of 46 people receiving usual care did so.
The approach was designed to improve metabolic health while helping protect muscle during weight loss.
Early-onset type 2 diabetes can worsen quickly and lead to complications sooner than diabetes that develops later.
A low-calorie diet and structured exercise program led to diabetes remission in 27 of 50 participants with early-onset type 2 diabetes after 24 weeks.
That was 54% of the intervention group, compared with 2 of 46 participants, or 4%, receiving usual care.
The trial included 96 adults aged 18 to 45 with obesity who were not taking insulin.
Researchers said the program was designed to improve metabolic health while helping preserve muscle.
The study was conducted at centers affiliated with McGill University, the University of Leicester and the University of Alberta.
- Who
- Researchers at centers affiliated with McGill University, the University of Leicester and the University of Alberta studied 96 adults aged 18 to 45 with early-onset type 2 diabetes and obesity.
- What
- A low-calorie diet and structured exercise program was associated with remission in 54% of participants after 24 weeks.
- When
- Participants were assigned to the trial between September 24, 2021, and June 6, 2025. Results were measured after 24 weeks.
- Where
- Three participating centers in England and Canada.
- Why
- The program aimed to support diabetes remission while addressing concerns about muscle loss during weight reduction.
Combined diet-and-exercise program
Usual care
Remission after 24 weeks
Combined diet-and-exercise program
27 of 50 participants, or 54%, achieved remission.
Usual care
2 of 46 participants, or 4%, achieved remission.
Treatment approach
Combined diet-and-exercise program
Participants followed a low-calorie diet and structured exercise program.
Usual care
Participants received usual care; further details are not stated.
Our remission rates are at the upper end of those previously reported in the literature for trials of similar duration, reinforcing the potential of structured lifestyle interventions to support clinically meaningful remission, while demonstrating for the first time that such effects can be achieved in a multi-ethnic population with early onset type 2 diabetes through a combined low energy diet and structured exercise intervention.
The 96 participants were randomly assigned to the combined program or usual care.
The intervention group followed a low-calorie diet and completed supervised and independent exercise sessions each week.
27 of 50 participants in the intervention group and 2 of 46 receiving usual care had achieved remission.
- Trial participants
- 96 adults aged 18 to 45
- Intervention group
- 50 participants
- Remission with intervention
- 27 of 50 (54%) after 24 weeks
- Remission with usual care
- 2 of 46 (4%) after 24 weeks
- Daily calorie target
- 800 to 900 calories
- Trial locations
- England and Canada
Sources
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