# Weight Loss, Glycemic Control, and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Response to Differential Diet Composition in a Weight Loss Program in Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Canonical: https://nutritionizm.com/research/10-2337-dc13-2900/
Last verified: 2026-10-26
Source: Diabetes Care (2014), DOI: https://doi.org/10.2337/dc13-2900
License: USDA FoodData Central values are public domain (CC0 1.0); Nutritionizm compilation and plain-language text are licensed under CC BY 4.0 (attribution: link to Canonical URL).

## TL;DR

A structured weight loss program helped adults with type 2 diabetes lose weight and lower blood sugar levels over one year.

## What they did

Researchers studied 227 adults with type 2 diabetes who were overweight or had obesity. They split participants into groups that received lifestyle counseling or usual care. The counseling groups followed either a lower-carbohydrate or a lower-fat meal plan.

## What they found

People in the lower-carbohydrate group lost 9.0% of their body weight, the lower-fat group lost 7.4%, and the usual care group lost 2.5%. After 1 year, fasting glucose was 141 mg/dL in the intervention groups compared with 159 mg/dL in usual care. The lower-carbohydrate group also had a lower hemoglobin A1c of 6.6% compared with 7.2% in the higher-carbohydrate group.

## Why it matters

Studies suggest that cutting back on carbohydrates may help people manage their blood sugar. Following a structured meal plan is also linked to greater weight loss. These eating habits may help support long-term metabolic health.

## Limits

The abstract does not state specific study limits. This is general education, not medical advice.

## Jargon explained

- **Hemoglobin A1c**: A blood test that shows average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months.
- **Fasting glucose**: The amount of sugar in the blood after going without food for several hours.
- **Triglycerides**: A type of fat circulating in the blood that the body uses for energy.

## Full citation

Cheryl L. Rock, Shirley W. Flatt, Bilgé Pakiz, Kenneth S. Taylor, Angela F. Leone, Kerrin Brelje, Dennis D. Heath, Elizabeth L. Quintana, Nancy E. Sherwood (2014). Weight Loss, Glycemic Control, and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Response to Differential Diet Composition in a Weight Loss Program in Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial. *Diabetes Care*. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2337/dc13-2900