Of particular interest to those with diabetes is this specific recommendation:

Weight loss is recommended to lower elevated blood glucose levels in overweight and obese persons with type 2 diabetes.

In making this recommendation, the experts evaluated dozens of controlled clinical trials to determine the effect of weight loss on fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin levels. They found:

• Strong evidence that weight loss produced by lifestyle modification reduces blood glucose levels and HbA1c in some patients with type 2 diabetes.
• Suggestive evidence that decreases in abdominal fat will improve glucose tolerance in overweight individuals with impaired glucose tolerance, although not independent of weight loss.
• Limited evidence that increased cardiorespiratory fitness improves glucose tolerance in overweight individuals with impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes, although not independent of weight loss.
• Suggestive evidence that weight loss induced by weight loss medications does not appear to improve blood glucose levels any better than weight loss through lifestyle therapy in overweight people with or without type 2 diabetes.

In preparing a new practical guide to help doctors treat their obese and overweight patients, the panel reviewed relevant treatment strategies designed for weight loss. Their recommendations emphasize the potential effectiveness of weight control using multiple interventions and strategies, including:

• Dietary therapy -- A low calorie diet -- with a deficit of 500 to 1000 calories/day -- is recommended for weight loss.
• Physical activity -- Individuals should start moderate activity for 30-45 minutes, 3 -- 5 days/week, and aim for at least 30 minutes or more of moderate physical activity on most, and preferably all, days.
• Behavior therapy -- This is a useful adjunct when incorporated into treatment for weight loss and weight maintenance.
• Pharmacotherapy -- Using FDA-approved weight loss medications, in combination with diet and physical activity, results in weight loss when used for 6 months to a year.
• Weight loss surgery is an option for carefully selected patients with clinically severe obesity when less invasive methods of weight loss have failed and the patient is at high risk for obesity-associated illness or death.