Pilot study of strategies for effective weight management in type 2 diabetes: Pounds Off with Empowerment (POWER)

This pilot test effort focused on weight management strategies for individuals with type 2 diabetes living in rural, medically under-served communities. Randomly selected patients from the diabetes registry of a federally funded primary care practice in a rural community were randomized to one of two 8-week interventions: intensive lifestyle (reduced fat and calorie intake and increased activity) or intensive lifestyle plus ongoing formal evaluation for continuous quality improvement. Mean weight loss was 1.15 +/- 1.90 kg (96.4% African American, n = 23, p < 0.01) with no difference between groups. Among the 78% who lost weight, mean loss was 2.00 kg. Mean difference in pre- vs. postintervention fasting blood glucose was -24.23 mg/dL (n = 23, p < 0.05). In this rural, medically under-served community, the interventions were moderately successful in facilitating weight loss and improving fasting glucose concentration. For purposes of state-of-the-art weight management interventions with diabetics, the addition of formal evaluation did not result in improved outcomes.