Weight Loss in Pre-Diabetics May Prevent Diabetes

People with pre-diabetes who lost 10% or more of their weight through a lifestyle intervention program had an 85% reduced risk of developing diabetes within 3 years. Those who lost 5% to 7% of their weight reduced their risk by 54%. More than 3000 overweight, hyperglycemic participants were randomized to receive an intense lifestyle intervention, the diabetes drug metformin, or a placebo. Those given metformin did not lose significant amounts of weight on average, but those whose blood sugar levels were significantly lowered reduced their diabetes risk. The Journal of General Internal Medicine findings come from the Diabetes Prevention Program.