What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to explore how individuals with Type 2 Diabetes perceive the importance of weight management based on their Body Mass Index (BMI).

April 29, 2026Open Access

Differences in Perspectives of Weight Management Among People in the US and Canada with Type 2 Diabetes by Body Mass Index

MRMelissa Ross SMSarah MulnickUniversity of North Carolina Wilmington KBKristina Boye

Key Points

This research aims to explore how individuals with Type 2 Diabetes perceive the importance of weight management based on their Body Mass Index (BMI).
Quantitative cross-sectional survey with 746 participants from the US and Canada.
Participants represented various BMI categories and provided insights through a questionnaire.
Statistical analyses, including chi-squared and t-tests, assessed differences across BMI categories.
93% of participants considered weight management important for managing their Type 2 Diabetes.
66% were actively trying to lose weight multiple times per week, especially those with higher BMIs (p<0.001).
Higher BMI was linked to more perceived negative impacts of weight on emotional health, physical activities, and overall quality of life.

Abstract

Purpose: The link between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity is well established; guidelines for treating T2D include recommendations to support healthy weight reduction. This study explored the perspectives of people in the US and Canada with T2D across BMI categories regarding the perceived value of reaching a lower weight and how this would impact their lives. Patients and Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey informed by a targeted literature review and qualitative interviews was administered in English to adults in the US and Canada with T2D. Enrollment ensured a sample representative of the T2D population by BMI (per US census data). The survey explored weight management experience, impacts of T2D and weight on quality of life (QOL), and perceived value of 5%/10%/20% weight reductions. Results were summarized descriptively. Chi-squared tests and t -tests assessed significant differences between BMI categories (p< 0.05). Results: The 746 participants had a mean (SD) BMI of 32.8 kg/m 2 (8.2). Nearly all (93%) felt weight management was important to managing their T2D, regardless of BMI. Most (66%) reported currently thinking about and trying to lose weight at least multiple times each week over the last 2 years, especially those with higher BMIs (p< 0.001). Higher BMI was also associated with more impacts of weight on T2D (emotional well-being, medical/health complications, physical/mobility limitations, sleep, daily activities, social and financial). Participants with higher BMIs desired greater weight reduction than those with lower BMIs when defining dream, achievable, acceptable and unsuccessful weight goals and were more likely to expect positive and meaningful impacts on their life with 5%/10%/20% weight reductions. Conclusion: Participants with T2D positively valued weight reduction and anticipate it to lead to improvements in their overall T2D management and QOL. As the percentage of weight reduction increased, those with higher BMIs perceived greater meaningfulness and more positive impacts. Keywords: patient perspectives, weight management, type 2 diabetes

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