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NIH Trial Demonstrates That Even Modest Weight Loss Improves Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Among Overweight/Obese People With Type 2 Diabetes

Posted on: Thursday, 28 June 2007, 06:00 CDT

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The 1-year results of a clinical study funded by the National Institutes of Health confirm that following a calorie-controlled diet which includes meal replacements play a significant role in promoting modest weight loss that translates into substantial health-related benefits for overweight or obese people with type 2 diabetes, including significant improvements in risk factors for heart disease.

The Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) study is the first large clinical trial designed to demonstrate the effect of weight loss on cardiovascular risk, morbidity and mortality in overweight individuals with type 2 diabetes. The 16-center trial which enrolled 5,145 overweight people with type 2 diabetes will examine cardiovascular morbidity and mortality for up to 12 years in persons randomly assigned to one of two conditions: Diabetes Support and Education (DSE) who receive usual medical care, and Intensive Lifestyle Intervention (ILI) who had a goal to lost 7% or more of initial weight by following a reduced-calorie diet in which people replaced two meals and one snack a day with liquid meal replacement shakes and meal bars for the first 6 months, and continued to replace one meal a day for the next 6 months, along with an increase in physical activity to 175 minutes or more/week (about 35 minutes of moderate exercise 5 days/week).

After one year, those people in the ILI group lost an average of 8.6% of their body weight, versus only 0.7% among people in the DSE group. This difference in weight loss resulted in more significant improvements in diabetes control and cardiovascular risk factors, including a substantial reduction in hemoglobin A1c to 6.6% and greater reductions in blood pressure and triglyceride levels, as well as a reduced need for blood pressure, lipid-lowering and diabetes medications in the ILI versus the DSE group. Participants in the ILI group also showed a 21% improvement in cardiovascular fitness as compared with 5.8% among DSE participants

"The data affirm what we've always thought: that losing weight if you have type 2 diabetes translates into a variety of benefits. Weight loss is the first and initially most important strategy to try. So, if you can lose weight, you'll need less medication, have better control of diabetes, and lower blood pressure and lipid levels. An important strategy to accomplishing that weight loss is to consider adding meal replacements to your program on a regular and consistent basis, and to think of that as a lifestyle change that you're going to make and stick with for the foreseeable future" said John Foreyt, PhD. Professor of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and Principal Investigator of the Houston, Texas Baylor site of the Look AHEAD study.

"The one-year results of the Look AHEAD Study demonstrate the significant health-related benefits that can be realized from a modest and achievable weight loss of 5% to 10% of body weight (about 15 pounds), and the important role that meal replacements play in making it easier for people to reduce their calorie intake by providing portion control along with good nutrition," said Patricia Groziak, M.S., R.D., Unilever Senior Manager, Medical Marketing for Slim-Fast. "This is encouraging news not only for the nearly 21 million people with diabetes in the U.S. but also for the millions of overweight and obese Americans who are at risk for developing diabetes and who continue to struggle with losing weight. Slim-Fast offers a convenient, simple and satisfying way to lose weight, and we are committed to continuously finding solutions for dieters to help them achieve their goals, a commitment that is supported by the results of over 35 published clinical studies.

More Information about the Look AHEAD Study

The Look AHEAD study included 5,145 overweight or obese people with type 2 diabetes who were randomly assigned to either Intensive Lifestyle Intervention (ILI) or usual care in the Diabetes Support and Education (DSE) group. Participants were ages 45 to 74 and all had type 2 diabetes and a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 kg/m2 (>27 kg/m2 if taking insulin). A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9kg/m2 is considered a healthy body weight. The Look AHEAD study began in 2001 and is scheduled to conclude in 2012.

Results at one year showed the following: -- 72.7% in the ILI group achieved the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) goal for diabetes control (defined as a Hemoglobin A1c<7%) versus 50.8% in the DSE group (p<0.001) -- 68.6% in the ILI group achieved the ADA's blood pressure (BP) goal of <130/80 mm/Hg versus 57% in DSE (p<0.001) -- 23.6% in the ILI achieved all three of the ADA's goals for A1c, BP, and LDL cholesterol <100 mg/dL versus 16% in DSE (p<0.001) -- Physical activity increased by 20.9% in the ILI group versus 5.8% in the DSE group (p<0.001) -- Fewer ILI patients had an albumin-to-creatinine ratio greater than or equal to 30.0 ug/mg, a measure of kidney dysfunction (p<0.002)

The investigators of the Look AHEAD study are continuing to provide additional intervention and follow up to determine whether the initial weight loss can be maintained, its long-term effect on the cardiovascular risk factors, and whether the positive changes in risk factors translate into reduced morbidity and mortality.

Slim-Fast is a proven, effective way to lose weight and keep it off.

The use of meal replacements is recognized by medical experts and nutrition professionals as an effective and successful weight management strategy that helps dieters with portion control. Slim-Fast, the leading brand of meal replacement shakes and bars, is one of the best researched of all diet plans, supported by over 35 published clinical studies that demonstrate effective short- and long-term weight loss results and weight maintenance. In fact, results of both three-month and one-year studies as well as those carried out to 4 years show that those groups using meal replacements consistently had significantly greater weight loss (7% to 8% initial body weight) than those following traditional reduced-calorie diets.

Slim-Fast is flexible and convenient so it can fit into anyone's busy lifestyle.

Americans are time-stretched and rushing to get a healthy meal on the run, which leads many people to rely on unhealthy versions of fast food and convenience foods. Slim-Fast Shakes and Meal Bars are truly Meals On-The-Go that can go anywhere with no preparation or cooking needed. And the Slim-Fast Optima Diet is simple to follow-simply replace breakfast with a Slim-Fast Meal, combine a Slim-Fast Meal with a 200-calorie healthy food choice at lunch, dine on a Sensible Meal at dinner, and snack on fruits, vegetables or portion-controlled, satisfying snacks between meals. There are 4 customized meal plans designed to help people get started in achieving their personal healthy weight goal. Or, use Slim-Fast Meals as part of any diet plan for a nutritionally-balanced, satisfying, calorie-controlled meal replacement.

About Slim-Fast Optima(R) Meals On-The-Go

Slim-Fast has been a national leader in the weight-management field for 30 years. Recently, the company reformulated its flagship product, the Optima Shake, to control hunger for up to 4 hours with just 190 calories. The product contains a unique, patent-pending protein blend that triggers a feeling of fullness (satiety) in the body through normal digestive processes - without appetite suppressants or stimulants. Because many dieters cite hunger as a key reason for why their diets fail, the new Slim-Fast shakes can help them stay on track to achieve their weight loss goals. And Slim-Fast Meal Bars have also been proven to control hunger for up to 4 hours.

About Slim-Fast

Slim-Fast, a business unit of Unilever, offers a proven and effective way to lose weight that includes delicious and nutritionally balanced weight loss shakes and meal bars, meal planning and tracking tools, physical activity suggestions, and expert advice and support. There are over 35 published clinical studies which show that following the Slim-Fast plan promotes effective weight loss and weight maintenance as well as improvements in the health risks associated with obesity. The Slim-Fast product line includes an affordable range of Shakes, Powders, Meal Bars and Snack Bars that are available in retail outlets nationwide. Visit slim-fast.com or call 1 800 SLIMFAST for more information.

About Unilever

Unilever , one of the world's largest consumer products companies, aims to add vitality to life by meeting everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care. Each day, around the world, consumers make 150 million decisions to purchase Unilever products. The company has a portfolio of brands that make people feel good, look good and get more out of life.

In the United States these brands include recognized names such as: Axe, "all," Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Hellmann's, Lipton, Knorr, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Snuggle, Suave and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies. Dedicated to serving consumers and the communities where we live, work and play, Unilever in the United States employs approximately 15,000 people in 66 office and manufacturing sites in 24 states and Puerto Rico- generating more than $9 billion in sales in 2005. For more information, visit http://www.unileverusa.com/.

Slim Fast

CONTACT: Christopher Speed of Ogilvy PR Worldwide, +1-212-880-5364, orchristopher.speed@ogilvypr.com, for Slim Fast

Web site: http://www.slim-fast.com/http://www.unileverusa.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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