Study: Weight Loss Doesn’t Cut Heart Risk for Diabetics

Losing a moderate amount of weight doesn’t reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke for obese diabetics, a new study suggests. The study included more than 5,000 adults with type 2 diabetes. Their average weight was 220 pounds when the study started. People were randomly divided into 2 groups. One group went through an intensive program that included a low-calorie diet and 175 minutes of moderate exercise each week. They were given counseling to help them stay with the program. The other group got education about diet and weight loss, but no program. After a year, the first group had lost 8.6% of body weight and the second group less than 1%. By the end of 9.6 years, weight loss was 6% in the first group and 3.5% in the second. Both groups had similar rates of heart attack, stroke and related death.