Healthcare Professionals Play Key Role in Supporting Diabetics Who Struggle to Maintain Weight Loss After Initial Success
In an effort to address the growing concern of diabetes-related weight regain, a leading expert in the field is shedding light on the importance of continued support and guidance for individuals with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes who have successfully lost weight.
According to Dr. Jamy Ard, MD, professor of epidemiology and prevention at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, managing weight after achieving new weight is a complex process that requires ongoing support and monitoring. "For people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, the same principles still apply," says Dr. Ard. "However, for those with type 2 diabetes, additional considerations come into play, such as managing blood glucose levels and potential interactions between medications."
Diabetes health care professionals can aid in supporting patients who struggle to maintain weight loss after achieving a new weight plateau by focusing on essential strategies, including:
- Monitoring weight and understanding body response to challenges
- Encouraging physical activity and incorporating strength training into daily routine
- Promoting a healthy dietary pattern with direct impact on energy balance
Dr. Ard stresses that regaining weight is not an individual failure but rather a normal process influenced by factors such as the brain's perception of intentional weight loss, changes in day-to-day habits, and health circumstances.
"What patients need to understand is that losing weight has two phases: achieving new weight and maintaining it," says Dr. Ard. "It's essential to shift our perspective from thinking about weight loss as a destination to focusing on maintenance – the harder part."
In addition to providing guidance on overall lifestyle changes, diabetes healthcare professionals can also help patients navigate specific challenges associated with managing type 2 diabetes, such as dealing with regaining or maintaining medication dosage.
"The research is limited, but what we do know is that treating obesity chronically has not been a normal practice in our healthcare system," notes Dr. Ard. "There's still much to be learned about the best strategies for long-term maintenance and patient preferences."
As diabetes-related weight regain continues to be a significant issue, healthcare professionals play an essential part in empowering patients with the knowledge and support needed to successfully maintain their weight losses over time.
Stay Healthy
- Regularly monitoring your weight will help you understand your body's response to challenges.
- Start or increase physical activity, including strength training, as part of your daily routine.
- Eat a healthy dietary pattern for managing blood glucose levels and insulin sensitivity.
By taking control of overall wellness, patients with diabetes can minimize the risk of regaining lost weight.