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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a model program of diabetes education and weight reduction on diabetes control and weight loss in obese individuals with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Eighty-two obese diabetic subjects were randomized to three levels of educational intensity: 1) a single individual session, 2) a 12-wk behavior-oriented diabetes education and weight control group intervention, or 3) group intervention plus six individual follow-up sessions. Repeated measures of weight, fasting blood glucose, and HbA1c were collected. Measures of diabetes knowledge, skills, and attitudes were also obtained. RESULTS: By 6 mo, all three intervention groups had a significant weight loss (P less than 0.01). The mean weight loss of approximately 10 lb was independent of treatment group and was maintained over the duration of the study. However, significant improvement in metabolic control was associated with participation in the diabetes education-weight reduction intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate that a cognitive behavioral group intervention of diabetes knowledge and weight reduction training can produce weight loss and improvements in diabetes control. The addition of individual counseling as a follow-up maintenance strategy does not appear to have any advantage.
D’Eramo-Melkus et al. (Wed,) studied this question.