INTRODUCTION: Obesity and overweight are major contributing factors for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Here, we explored the perspectives of people with T2D on the value and expected impacts of reaching a lower weight. METHODS: Adult residents of Canada with T2D completed a cross-sectional survey informed by qualitative interviews. Survey questions explored weight management experiences, T2D and weight impacts on quality of life, and the value of losing 5%, 10%, or 20% body weight. Results were summarized descriptively. RESULTS: (SD 7.9); 44% of participants had a current hemoglobin A1C < 7%. T2D negatively affected quality of life, particularly impacting emotional well-being (50%), other illnesses (48%), and sleep (49%). Most participants believed their weight affected their T2D (85%), felt they needed to lose weight (89%), struggled to lose weight (79%), and deemed weight management to be crucial for T2D management (94%). Participants' average "dream" weight loss was a 19% reduction. Most participants anticipated losing 5%, 10%, or 20% body weight would significantly improve their future with T2D (64%, 75%, or 71%) and overall health (79%, 85%, and 90%), and would have a positive impact (70%, 78%, or 71%), particularly on appearance, comorbidities, and emotional well-being. CONCLUSION: Participants with T2D valued weight loss and anticipated improvements to their health and quality of life with greater perceived value and impacts associated with increased weight reductions.
Ross et al. (Thu,) studied this question.