Abstract

Background: Obesity and diabetes are a worldwide epidemic, and their complex physiological interactions contribute to an increase in morbidity and mortality. Previous studies have shown that the use of diabetes medications could affect the response to weight loss interventions. However, the results are still scarce and contradictory. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether body composition improvements of participants in a comprehensive weight loss program focused on reducing visceral adiposity were affected by prescription diabetes medications.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed from 2,200 subjects who completed a commercially available expert supervised program including ~6 weeks of a structured, nutritionally complete low/very low-calorie diet followed by a ~3-week structured transition back to a normal dietary intake. Overall, 33% of the subjects reported taking at least one prescription diabetes medication. Endpoints assessed included weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, intracellular fluid, and visceral adiposity.

Results: Our data show participants in both groups (+/- diabetes drugs) achieved clinically relevant and statistically significant improvements in standard measures of weight loss and outcomes known to be directly related to inflammation and diabetes (intracellular fluid, visceral adiposity).

Conclusions: A non-pharmacologic, non-surgical low/very low calorie-based weight loss and metabolic health program is a therapeutic approach capable of producing clinically significant improvements in body composition and physiological outcomes, including those linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and inflammation. Additionally, this approach is equally effective for adults taking prescription diabetes medications, as well as for participants who are not.

Keywords: Body composition; Diabetes; Intracellular Fluid; Very Low-Calorie Diet; Visceral Adiposity