Authors: (including presenting author): :
Chan CS(1), Leung KYY(1)
Affiliation: :
(1)Dietetic Department, Pok Oi Hospital
Keyword 1: :
Weight Management
Keyword 2: :
Diabetes Prevention
Keyword 3: :
Diabetes Remission
Keyword 4: :
Nutrition Education
Introduction: :
Significant weight loss (5-15%) has been shown to delay diabetes or induce diabetes remission in individuals with overweight or obesity. Given the potential long-term cost-effectiveness of nutritional interventions in diabetes management, education programs with a weight-loss focus are increasingly important.
Objectives: :
This study evaluated the impact of redesigning group nutrition education at Pok Oi Hospital from a general healthy eating curriculum to one emphasizing structured weight reduction for patients with diabetes or prediabetes.
Methodology: :
Prior to December 2023, all eligible patients received standard education on low-sugar, low-salt, low-fat eating and carbohydrate counting, followed by optional individual consultations. From December 2023, the program was revised to enroll only patients with obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m²), and focused on weight loss and health gain through evidence-based dietary strategies—including meal replacement—supported by individual follow-up.
Result & Outcome: :
Of 86 total participants, 59 met the inclusion criteria (BMI ≥23 kg/m², ≥2 visits, no diuretics / GLP-1Ras: 30 old, 29 new). Despite similar age and gender profiles, the new group had higher baseline weight (80.0 vs. 75.5 kg) and BMI (30.2 vs. 28.5 kg/m²). The new program achieved significantly greater weight loss outcomes:
1. Mean loss: 2.2 kg (−2.6%, p = 0.003, new) vs. 0.8 kg (−1.0%, nonsignificant, old).
2. Proportion of participants with ≥5% weight loss: 20.7% (new) vs. 6.7% (old)
3. Proportion of participants with ≥10% weight loss: 10.3% (new) vs. 3.3% (old)
4. Slightly higher session attendance 2.3 (new) vs. 2.1 (old) was also observed. A weight-centered group nutrition education model significantly improved clinically meaningful weight loss compared to conventional dietary guidance. Integrating structured, evidence-based approaches—such as meal replacement—can enhance engagement and outcomes. This supports its use in diabetes prevention and remission strategies, thus potentially alleviating the substantial economic burden of diabetes.
