• 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. 37, 7, 72-76. 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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