Patients diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes frequently requests for clarification if their condition is reversible, and "some physicians may provide hopeful advice that lifestyle change can normalize glucose levels," the Look AHEAD Research Group under Edward W. Gregg, PhD says. "However, the rate of remission of type 2 diabetes that may be achieved using nonsurgical approaches has not been reported."

To clarify the issue, the researchers analysed the results of a long-term (4 years) intensive weight-loss intervention on frequency of remission from diabetes to pre-diabetes or normoglycemia in 2,241 participants and compared them with a sample of 2,262 diabetes patients participating in a diabetes and support education intervention.

The intensive weight-loss intervention included weekly group and individual counselling for the first 6 months intended to reduce caloric intake, decreasing consumption of total and saturated fats, and increasing physical activities; this was followed by three sessions per month for the second 6 months and twice-monthly sessions over 2 to 4 years. Participants also were offered liquid meal replacements to help with dietary goals.

In the support education intervention participants were given three group sessions annually that offered information on diet, physical activity, and social support.
In addition to losing more weight, the weight-loss intervention group had greater increases in fitness in years one and four (20.6% versus 4.9% and 5.3% versus 1.5%, respectively, P<0.001 for both) than those in the education group.

Complete remission defined as glucose normalization without medication was more common among the lifestyle weight-loss participants than the education group (prevalence ratio 6.6, 95% CI 3.3 to 13.3, P<0.001).