Diabetes and weight management

Diabetes has become the tsunami of non-communicable chronic diseases, with its alarmingly high prevalence largely driven by the global obesity epidemic. Achieving a healthy weight and preventing weight gain are integral components of optimal diabetes management. A modest weight loss of 5–10% is associated with significant reduction in blood sugar, lipid and blood pressure levels. Insulin detemir is an effective basal insulin analogue associated with less weight gain compared with both insulin NPH and insulin glargine. Once-daily insulin detemir could be considered an effective therapy for people with type 2 diabetes on lifestyle interventions and oral anti-diabetic agent therapy who require insulin.