Study Overview
The programme, a collaboration between NHS England and Diabetes UK, provided a total diet replacement treatment involving soups and shakes to patients referred by their GPs. This is the first study to demonstrate that type 2 diabetes remission can be achieved through widespread delivery outside a research setting.
Key Findings:
Remission Rates: 32% of participants who completed the programme were in remission after 12 months.
Weight Loss: The average weight loss for all participants was 8.3% (9.4 kg), increasing to 9.3% (10.3 kg) for those who completed the programme.
Higher Remission with Greater Weight Loss: Greater weight loss was associated with higher remission rates.
Programme Details
The programme targets individuals aged 18-65 who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the last six years and have a BMI over 27 kg/m² (or over 25 kg/m² for Black, Asian, and minority ethnic groups). Over 25,000 people have been offered the programme since its pilot launch in 2020.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Aged 18-65 years
- Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the last six years
- BMI over 27 kg/m² (White ethnic groups) or over 25 kg/m² (Black, Asian, and other ethnic groups)
Expert Insights and Reactions
Dr. Clare Hambling, NHS National Clinical Director for Diabetes and Obesity: “The programme can have a huge impact on participants’ lives, offering major weight loss and type 2 diabetes remission. This shows that obesity, a significant health threat in the UK, can be effectively tackled.”
Dr. Elizabeth Robertson, Director of Research at Diabetes UK: “These findings provide real-world evidence that the NHS programme can help thousands on their weight loss and remission journey. We hope to see more people benefiting from it, especially those recently diagnosed and younger individuals where the impact is greatest.”
Prof. Calum Sutherland, University of Dundee: “This regime has achieved the most impressive level of remission seen by any health intervention in the general population, significantly reducing weight, improving glucose control, and eliminating the need for medications in one-third of participants.”
Dr. Nerys Astbury, University of Oxford: “The new results replicate clinical trial findings, showing that low-energy total diet replacement programmes can help people lose substantial weight and achieve type 2 diabetes remission. However, the long-term effects on diabetes risk and remission duration remain unknown.”
Broader Implications
This diet programme represents a significant step forward in the fight against type 2 diabetes. Beyond individual health benefits, it offers potential cost savings for the NHS, which currently allocates around 10% of its budget to diabetes management. Implementing research findings into routine healthcare can lead to genuine and tangible health benefits for patients.
Conclusion
The NHS ‘soups and shakes’ programme has demonstrated promising results, with one in three participants achieving remission of type 2 diabetes. The findings suggest that large-scale interventions can effectively manage and potentially reverse type 2 diabetes, offering hope to thousands of individuals living with the condition. As the programme continues to expand, it has the potential to bring life-changing benefits to even more people across England.
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