While it is not possible to attribute the study outcome
to any single component of the intervention, it is widely accepted that weight reduction can improve insulin sensitivity
and metabolic parameters in T2DM.5 Studies have
shown that mild to moderate weight loss of 5 to 10% can
improve diabetes control even if desirable weight is not
achieved.5,9 Although weight loss during the present 24
week study was modest and averaged 3 cm), shown to improve metabolic risk factors
in Asian men.17 Of interest is the observation of a
modest decrease in body weight with an apparent increase
in waist:hip ratio in the Reference Group. Because these
changes were not associated with metabolic improvements,
it is likely that they reflect compositional changes
(e.g., shifting in body fluids), unrelated to a reduction in
abdominal fat.