Feasibility and Efficacy of a Plant-Based Nutrition Intervention for Type 2 Diabetes in a Primary Care Setting

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

5-1-2025

Journal

American journal of lifestyle medicine

DOI

10.1177/15598276251339396

Keywords

group program; nutrition education; obesity; plant-based diet; primary care; type 2 diabetes

Abstract

To determine the feasibility and efficacy of a plant-based nutrition intervention for type 2 diabetes in a primary care setting. Adults (n = 76) with type 2 diabetes were enrolled in a self-paid, online nutrition intervention program between August 2023 and September 2024. All participants were advised to attend weekly group classes and follow a plant-based diet for 12 weeks. Body weight, medication usage, HbA and cholesterol levels were assessed at baseline and at 12 weeks. Among the 58 participants who completed the program (mean age 63.4 years; 69% female), the mean body weight (-3.7 kg; 95% CI, -4.4 to -2.9; P < .0001) and HbA (-0.6%; 95% CI, -0.8 to -0.3; P = .0001) decreased at 12 weeks. Participants not following a plant-based diet at baseline experienced greater reductions in mean body weight and HbA. Total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased amongst participants not taking lipid-lowering medications, and 22% of participants reduced the dosages of diabetes medications. In a primary care setting, a novel 12-week plant-based nutrition intervention for type 2 diabetes was accessible, economically viable, and led to reductions in diabetes medications, body weight, HbA, and total and LDL cholesterol levels.

Department

Medicine

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