LAHORE: According to a study, adults who are overweight or obese and have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes have a higher risk of developing serious health problems. Experts disagree on the best diet and supportive measures to recommend, however.
The study was published in the journal ‘The Annals of Family Medicine’. In these findings, researchers used a 2 x 2 diet-by-support factorial design to randomize 94 adults with pre-existing conditions, a Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet versus a very low-carbohydrate (VLC) or ketogenic diet.
They also determined intervention outcomes that included and excluded additional support practices such as mindful eating, effective emotion regulation, social support, and cooking instruction.
Using intention-to-treat analysis, the VLC diet led to greater improvements in estimated mean systolic blood pressure (SBP; -9.8 mmHg vs. -5.2 mmHg, P =.046), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c; -.4). percent versus -.1 percent, P = 0.034), and a greater improvement in weight compared to the DASH diet (-19.14 pounds versus -10.33 pounds, P = 0.0003),
Adding additional support did not have a statistically significant effect on the results. For adults with hypertension, prediabetes or type 2 diabetes and who are overweight or obese, a VLC diet showed greater improvements in systolic blood pressure, glycemic control and weight over four months than the DASH diet.
What we know: About half (47 percent) of adults in the United States have high blood pressure, and about half have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. About 42 percent of adults in the United States are also obese.
These conditions can lead to stroke, end-stage renal disease, myocardial infarction and premature death. Although the first-line treatment for these individuals should be a diet and lifestyle intervention, experts disagree on which diet should be recommended.
What this study adds: For adults who are overweight or obese, have high blood pressure, as well as prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, a very low-carbohydrate diet shows greater improvements in systolic blood pressure, glycemic control and weight over four months. on a DASH diet.
