Kuala lumpur: A structured lifestyle intervention has been found to help adults with obesity and newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes achieve significantly better control of the condition within 12 weeks, according to a study by Abbott and Changing Health.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the intervention involved a low-calorie diet, diabetes-specific nutrition shakes, and digital support, including meal plans, one-to-one coaching, and continued healthcare professional support. The findings showed that participants achieved significant improvements in weight loss, blood sugar control, and blood pressure through a structured approach combining nutrition and lifestyle changes.
Published in the Clinical Diabetes journal, the study involved 157 adults who followed a low-calorie diet programme that included two to four daily servings of diabetes-specific nutrition shakes as partial meal replacements. Participants recorded an average weight loss of 11 kilogrammes, equivalent to an 11 per cent reduction in body weight alongside a one percentage point reduction in haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels.
The study also recorded significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, highlighting the potential impact of structured lifestyle approaches in supporting diabetes management. Abbott Nutrition medical director Dr Nina Mazera Mohd Said said the findings demonstrated that significant improvements in diabetes control could be achieved through structured interventions supported by coaching, technology, and nutritional guidance.
'Results of this magnitude are often associated with far more intensive or invasive treatment approaches, highlighting the impact of structured lifestyle intervention to take control of diabetes,' she said in a statement. Dr Nina noted that while many people with type 2 diabetes understood the steps needed to manage their condition, converting that knowledge into sustainable daily habits remained a challenge.
'Building a routine creates structure and reduces decision fatigue, making healthy choices easier to maintain over the long term,' she said. Malaysia is currently facing rising rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes, with one in two Malaysian adults classified as overweight or obese, placing them at higher risk of developing diabetes.
More than 3.5 million Malaysians are living with diabetes, while maintaining a healthy weight remains one of the key factors in improving blood sugar control and reducing the risk of diabetes-related complications. The study further noted that every one percentage point reduction in HbA1c could help reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications, including microvascular issues and diabetes-related deaths.