The Magic of Movement and Weight Loss for Diabetes.

We have been a touch quiet but intend on resuming a more frequent posting schedule moving forward, so; welcome back to our thoughts on new literature. This article caught our eye because it really addresses an obvious elephant in the room. It discusses a post hoc analysis of the Look AHEAD trial, focusing on individuals with T2D and being overweight or suffering from obesity. The Look AHEAD trial originally aimed to assess the effects of lifestyle-induced weight loss on cardiovascular events in this population but found no significant reduction in risk. This specific analysis, however, investigates how physical activity (PA) might influence the cardiovascular outcomes of weight loss.

Key Findings

Among 1,229 participants, those who maintained both high PA volume and weight loss over four years had a 61% lower risk of adverse cardiovascular events compared to those with low PA volume and no weight loss.

The study found no significant difference in cardiovascular risk reduction among participants who only lost weight or only maintained high PA volume, highlighting the importance of combining both strategies.

There was a significant interaction between weight loss and PA, suggesting that the cardiovascular benefits of PA are enhanced during weight loss.

Breaking It Down: The Study in Plain Speak

Imagine you’re part of a study called Look AHEAD, where the goal was to see if losing weight through lifestyle changes would help prevent heart problems in people with type 2 diabetes who are also carrying extra weight. Initially, they didn’t find much of a difference, but then they took a second look, focusing on how much moving around (or physical activity) these folks were doing.

What They Found

Out of 1,229 participants, the ones who both kept active and lost weight were about 61% less likely to face serious heart issues compared to folks who didn’t move much or lose weight. Interestingly, just losing weight or just staying active didn’t make a big difference by themselves—it was the combo that packed a punch.

What This Means for Us

Mix It Up: Exercise and Weight Loss

This study is basically giving us the inside scoop that when it comes to keeping your heart healthy, especially for people with diabetes and extra weight, you’ve got to mix it up. Losing weight is great, but when you throw in a good amount of physical activity, you’re really onto something.

Tailored Plans Are Key

For those of us helping others get healthier, this means we need to think about custom plans that focus not just on diet or exercise, but both. And it’s not a one-size-fits-all deal; what works for one person might not work for another.

Beyond the Individual: Community and Policy

This isn’t just about individual choices; it’s a call to action for communities and policymakers too. Creating spaces where people can be active and access healthy food can make a big difference.

Where Do We Go from Here?

The study opens up a bunch of questions, like what types of activities are best and how much do you need to do to get these benefits. There’s a lot more digging to do in this area.

Huang Z, Zhuang X, Huang R, et al. Physical Activity and Weight Loss Among Adults With Type 2 Diabetes and Overweight or Obesity: A Post Hoc Analysis of the Look AHEAD Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(2):e240219. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.0219

Wrapping It Up

So, what’s the takeaway? If you’re working on getting healthier, especially if you’re dealing with diabetes and weight concerns, combining weight loss with staying active is like a power duo for your heart. And if you are not working on getting healthier, maybe you should be! For those of us in the health and wellness field, it’s a reminder that our advice and plans for folks should reflect this dynamic duo approach; mind you, considering the three-pronged approach by including the stabilization of your hormones might just provide the energy needed to finally make the leap. It’s about making lifestyle changes that stick and making sure those changes are as unique as the people making them. Jason & Rita…aka Dr. De Leon and Dr. Gillespie.