Weight loss in obese patients with type 2 diabetes: Effects of telemonitoring plus a diet combination – The Active Body Control (ABC) Program

Abstract Aims We evaluate the efficacy of the "Active Body Control (ABC) Program" for weight reduction in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods The ABC program combines telemonitoring of the physical activity with a low-calorie diet also preferring carbohydrates with low glycemic indexes. In this 6-month, randomized, clinical trial 35 patients (aged 57±9 years; BMI=35.3±5.7kg/m 2 ) were treated according to the ABC program and 35 control patients (aged 58±7 years; BMI=34.8±5.9kg/m 2 ) received standard therapy. Results After 6 months the mean weight loss in the intervention group was 11.8kg±8.0kg. Glucose and HbA1c were lowered by respectively 1.0mmol/l and 0.8 percentage points ( p =0.000, respectively). The proportion of patients with HbA1c>7% fell from 57% to 26%. Antidiabetic drugs were discontinued in 13 patients (39%) and reduced in 14 (42%). The reduction of costs on medication per patient was €83 in 6 months. In the control group, there were no relevant changes in body weight, laboratory values or drug treatment. Conclusions The ABC program effectively lowers body weight, Hb1Ac and antidiabetic drug use in patients with type 2 diabetes.