Living with overweight or obesity is the most significant modifiable risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes – around 90% of people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes are living with overweight or obesity. Getting support to lose weight can be very beneficial for both preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes and managing the condition. As well as reducing the risks of complications, significant weight loss can also result in type 2 diabetes going into remission for some people.
This position statement looks at what more could be done to improve access to effective, person centred interventions to treat overweight and obesity across the UK for people at risk of and living with type 2 diabetes. It is important to note that people’s socioeconomic status, genetics, and the wider food environment they are exposed to all play a strong role in determining their weight.
For weight management services to be successful in the long term, it is essential that they are not the only policy interventions to reduce obesity. See our position statement on prevention of type 2 diabetes for more information on addressing socioeconomic factors.
Download the Weight Management Services for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes position statement (PDF, 358KB)
