Results of a 2-year lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes: the Reach Ahead for Lifestyle and Health -Diabetes randomized controlled trial

Objective The Reach Ahead for Lifestyle and Health (REAL HEALTH)-Diabetes study assessed the comparative effectiveness of two Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes)-adapted lifestyle intervention (LI) arms targeting weight loss in type 2 diabetes compared with medical nutrition therapy (MNT) referral. At 1 year, LI had greater weight loss than MNT. This study reports outcomes at 24 (end of LI) and 36 months. Methods Participants (N = 211) with type 2 diabetes and BMI > 25 kg/m(2) were randomly assigned to in-person LI, telephone conference call LI, or MNT. The primary outcome was percentage weight change. Secondary outcomes included 5% and 10% weight loss, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and patient-reported outcomes. Results Participants were 61.7 (SD 10.2) years old; 55% were female; 77% were non-Hispanic White; and had mean (SD) weight of 98 (18.9) kg and mean (SD) HbA1c of 7.7% (1.2%). Mean (SD) weight change at 24 and 36 months was -4.4% (5.9%) and -4.4% (5.4%) in in-person LI, -4.0% (5.8%) and -5.3% (6.4%) in telephone LI, and -3.1% (5.2%) and -5.8% (7.1%) in MNT, with no statistically significant difference in weight or HbA1c at 24 and 36 months. Compared with MNT, LI arms had favorable changes in patient-reported outcomes related to learned dietary skills. Conclusions There were no differences in weight outcomes among LI participants compared with referral to MNT at the end of intervention or 1 year after its conclusion.