Mixed
Steep, excessive weight loss (>17% average) during the post-intervention follow-up phase in older adults with type 2 diabetes is strongly associated with increased mortality risk, particularly when the loss is unintentional.
If you are an older adult with type 2 diabetes, do not pursue aggressive weight loss strategies without medical supervision. Monitor your weight closely; if you lose more than 5% of your body weight unintentionally or rapidly, consult your doctor immediately, as this may indicate underlying health issues like frailty or depression rather than improved health.
The steep weight loss trajectory subgroup lost on average 17.7 ± 6.6%; 30% of steep losers died during postintervention follow-up versus 10–18% in other trajectories (P < 0001).
Why this rating
Large randomized trial (Look AHEAD) with long-term follow-up (median 16 years) and objective mortality data.
Source
Weight Change During the Postintervention Follow-up of Look AHEAD
Rena R. Wing et al. · Diabetes Care · 2022
DOI 10.2337/dc21-1990
Related findings · Mixed
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