• To update your knowledge of research on remission of type 2 diabetes
• To understand the link between weight loss, diet programmes and remission of type 2 diabetes
• To recognise how you could advise and support patients with type 2 diabetes to achieve weight loss and remission of their condition
The incidence of diabetes mellitus is increasing, with a new diagnosis made every two minutes in the UK. Previously, it was believed that type 2 diabetes was progressive and irreversible. However, research has shown that it may be possible to reverse type 2 diabetes – termed remission – in people who achieve significant weight loss (>10% of their body weight) and who have had the condition for less than ten years. Weight loss should be the primary goal of treatment for people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and nurses have an important role in supporting this. This article discusses some of the research on remission of type 2 diabetes and dietary approaches to weight loss. It also considers the role of the nurse in supporting patients with this condition to achieve and sustain weight loss.
Nursing Standard. doi: 10.7748/ns.2022.e11949
Peer reviewThis article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software
Correspondence Conflict of interestNone declared
James J (2022) Supporting patients to achieve remission of type 2 diabetes. Nursing Standard. doi: 10.7748/ns.2022.e11949
Published online: 20 June 2022
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