MRC Epidemiology Unit
In this article originally published in The Conversation, Dr Amy Ahern and Professor Giles Yeo discuss why is it so difficult to keep the weight off after you’ve lost it. It is often said that 95% of weight-loss measures don’t work. Only, it’s not true. Advances in behavioural treatments (such as cognitive behavioural therapy) for […]
How well did the SWiM-C weight management programme support health during COVID-19?
A new study in the International Journal of Obesity examines the effect over 12 months of the SWiM-C weight management programme. The results show that while the effect of SWiM-C on weight was inconclusive, it improved health behaviours and wellbeing. The SWiM-C (Supporting Weight Management during COVID-19) programme was funded by NIHR and the European […]
That’s a WRAP: assessing the long term impact of a commercial weight management programme
A study released today in Lancet Public Health examines the long term effect of 12 and 52 week commercial weight management programmes. The results show that the 52 week programme was more effective over two years. After five years some weight loss was maintained, and over a lifetime both programmes are likely to be cost-saving […]
Seeing is believing when it comes to health risk and behaviour change
They say a picture can convey a thousand words, and researchers have found that using medical imaging technologies that can visualize health may discourage risk-related behaviours more than non-visual information. The meta-analysis, published by scientists at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Public Health and Primary Care and MRC Epidemiology Unit in the open access […]
Opinion: Why we need better evidence for the long-term health effects of weight loss in type 2 diabetes
By Dr Jean Strelitz, MRC Postdoctoral Fellow, MRC Epidemiology Unit People with type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of heart disease and premature death. People with type 2 diabetes are increasingly encouraged to lose weight, as evidence from numerous clinical trials shows that weight loss substantially improves blood sugar levels. Indeed, a recent trial […]
Type 2 diabetes weight loss recommendations could be harmful for some, depending on BMI
In this article for The Conversation, Dr Jean Strelitz discuss research showing how advising weight loss to all people with type 2 diabetes may not be the best approach. People with type 2 diabetes are often encouraged to lose weight, as this can help return their blood sugar to normal levels. But few studies have […]
Type 2 diabetes remission possible with ‘achievable’ weight loss
People who achieve weight loss of 10% or more in the first five years following diagnosis with type 2 diabetes have the greatest chance of seeing their disease go into remission, according to a study led by the University of Cambridge. The findings suggest that it is possible to recover from the disease without intensive […]
Type 2 diabetes: small reduction in alcohol, big reduction in heart disease risk
Jean Strelitz writes about new research which indicates that reducing alcohol use by as little as two units per week may have long-term health benefits for people with diabetes. This post was originally published in The Conversation. People with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of getting cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack and […]
Patients with an ‘empathic’ GP at reduced risk of early death
Patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes are at a lower risk of early death if they have a doctor who they describe as showing empathy towards them, a new study from the University of Cambridge has found. Empathy is an important concept within healthcare and as such is emphasised in policy, codes of practice, […]
Type 2 diabetes: losing even a small amount of weight may lower heart disease risk
People with type 2 diabetes are often encouraged to lose weight. And recent studies have shown that losing a lot of weight can reverse diabetes, meaning the person no longer has to take drugs to treat their disease. Unfortunately, most people struggle to lose large amounts of weight and keep the weight off. However, there […]