Research

Mixed

A culturally adapted Mediterranean-style dietary pattern combined with physical activity promotes sustained, clinically significant weight loss in adults with type 2 diabetes over a 24-month period.

For adults with type 2 diabetes, especially those from minority or low-income backgrounds, a sustainable weight loss strategy involves adopting a Mediterranean-style diet that respects cultural food preferences (e.g., using healthy fats like olive oil and nuts, which are common in Southern cuisine) combined with regular walking. This approach, delivered through culturally sensitive counseling and flexible support (phone or group sessions), can lead to sustained weight loss of approximately 3.7 kg (8 lbs) over two years, which is clinically beneficial for managing diabetes and cardiovascular risk.

ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Participants with diabetes experienced sustained weight loss at 24-month follow-up. High-risk US populations with diabetes may experience clinically important weight loss from this type of lifestyle intervention.
Genevieve Embree et al. · BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care · 2017

Why this rating

Single-arm longitudinal study with no control group; results are adjusted for confounders but lack randomization against a control.

Source

Successful long-term weight loss among participants with diabetes receiving an intervention promoting an adapted Mediterranean-style dietary pattern: the Heart Healthy Lenoir Project

Genevieve Embree et al. · BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care · 2017

DOI 10.1136/bmjdrc-2016-000339

cohort · n=339Cited 16×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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