This World Diabetes Day, we’re delighted to share research into how Slimming World can help members with type 2 diabetes improve their diabetes control by making healthy lifestyle changes and losing weight by following our Food Optimising eating plan.
After conducting a survey of members with type 2 diabetes, we found that:
Dr Jacquie Lavin, Head of Research and Scientific Affairs at Slimming World, explains more:
“Losing weight by making changes to our lifestyle that are sustainable is one of the most effective ways to protect our health. Our research has shown that a fifth (22%) of members participating in the study with type 2 diabetes were able to stop taking medication completely and 85% said they were more active.
Members following Slimming World’s healthy eating plan enjoy a diet of filling and satisfying everyday foods – including fruit, vegetables, eggs, poultry, lean meat, fish, beans, pulses, pasta, rice and potatoes — which can be tailored to suit individual needs, tastes and budget.
Sharing ideas about preparing meals and cooking from scratch and swapping recipe tips is a key part of the group experience. Members also inspire each other to become more active as their confidence and sense of wellbeing improves.
As part of a supportive weight loss group, members motivate each other to make and stick with changes that they can live with. It both helps those with type 2 diabetes to improve their health and reduce medication and helps prevent those who are at risk from developing the condition.”
In 12 months as a Slimming World member John Dick lost more than 8st to help him reverse his type 2 diabetes and his health has improved dramatically. He says:
“I’ve been off all my medication for over a year now and I feel fantastic. My blood pressure is normal, my cholesterol is no longer high and I don’t suffer from back pain any more either. I’m a Scout Leader and when one of the parents who I knew well didn’t recognise me at all, that really brought home to me how much I’ve changed. I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved.”
Before she joined Slimming World, Helen Rogers was struggling to control her type 2 diabetes and was close to being prescribed insulin medication. Now, she’s 8st lighter and she’s been able to ditch her medication completely! She says:
“I had blood tests this month and I’m chuffed to say my latest diabetes blood results are 41, which means my diabetes is now in remission. My cholesterol looks good, too, so while I still take one tablet for my blood pressure and another for my cholesterol, I’m off all my diabetes medication and have dropped from nine tablets a day to just two.”
MORE ON THE BLOG: Read Helen’s full story here.
Losing 10% of your body weight can bring many health benefits for people who are overweight, and we’re determined to support our members with those healthy lifestyle changes that can make such a big difference. If you’d like to find out about Slimming World, your local Consultant will be happy to tell you more. You can also find out more about joining Slimming World here.
*Study surveyed 222 members with type 2 diabetes in May 2020.
**The health information is intended to provide general knowledge and should not be used to replace the advice given by your health-care team.