Pearls for Practice

Approximately 12% of patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes lost weight by 18 months, with mean weight loss nearly 10% of baseline weight. This group began regaining weight, on average, at approximately 18 months; by 36 months, there was near-complete weight regain in the weight loss group.
Weight loss after a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes predicted improved glycemic control and blood pressure control despite weight regain, suggesting that the initial period after diagnosis may be a crucial time to apply weight loss treatments to improve risk factor control.