New college study finds personalized dietary recommendations combined with continuous glucose monitoring helps individuals with prediabetes lose more weight

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Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Raedeh Basiri, PhD, RDN

The randomized clinical trial found that this approach can enhance weight loss and reduce carbohydrate intake in individuals with prediabetes.

Individuals with prediabetes who had obesity and overweight are at high risk of developing diabetes and its related medical conditions. However, long-term weight loss can be challenging, and programs that focus on weight loss through calorie restriction can be difficult to maintain.

A new College of Public Health study led by Raedeh Basiri in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies used new methods to help individuals with prediabetes who had obesity and overweight lose weight without following a weight-loss diet. The study didn’t focus on a reduction in calories or an increase in physical activity. Instead, it focused on healthy eating and personal goal setting based on how the body responds to different types of foods. They found that using continuous glucose monitoring devices (CGMs) along with personalized nutrition therapy doubled participants’ weight loss and fat reduction. This suggests that when participants can see the effects of foods on their blood glucose, they follow the recommendations more seriously.

“Personalizing dietary recommendations can reduce unnecessary restrictions while still supporting weight loss, improved body composition, and blood glucose control in individuals with prediabetes who had overweight and obesity,” explained Basiri. “This approach promotes greater compliance and long-term sustainability due to fewer dietary restrictions.”

The randomized clinical trial followed 30 participants over 30 days. All participants wore CGMs and received personalized nutrition recommendations for lowering blood glucose. However, the treatment group was able to see the blood glucose results in real time, and the dietitian also used this CGM data to further tailor their dietary recommendations. Both the control group and the dietitian were blinded to the CGM data, and it couldn’t be used to further tailor their dietary recommendations.

Both groups lost significant weight and fat mass. However, the treatment group lost more than double the amount of weight and fat mass than the control group. The treatment group also decreased their consumption of carbohydrates, increased their physical activity, and had more compliance with the dietary recommendations.

Basiri explained, “Individuals who could see the effects of foods on their blood glucose in real time showed notably higher compliance, suggesting that real-time feedback from CGMs, combined with personalized glucose control education, can lead to significant weight loss and body composition improvements without focusing solely on weight loss as the primary goal.”

“The approach we took in this study, personalizing dietary recommendations combined with using CGMs could be a great alternative for controlling blood glucose in individuals at risk of type 2 diabetes who have overweight or obesity and can’t achieve or maintain their weight loss goals.”

This is the first study to evaluate the effects of personalized nutrition therapy along with using CGM on body composition in individuals with prediabetes.

“Personalized Nutrition Therapy without Weight Loss Counseling Produces Weight Loss in Individuals with Prediabetes Who Are Overweight/Obese: A Randomized Controlled Trial” was published online in Nutrients in July 2024 and was chosen as a featured paper in Obesity and Energetics offerings. The Obesity and Energetics Offerings (OEO) is a collaboration between Indiana University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, providing curated resources on obesity, metabolism, and energy balance. It serves as a valuable hub for researchers and professionals, offering the latest research, news, and policy updates in the field. The organization emphasizes the importance of scientific rigor and reliability in obesity research.  

The research was supported by George Mason’s College of Public Health.

Lawrence J. Cheskin from George Mason’s College of Public Health was also an author of the paper.