SELF-REPORTED WEIGHT-LOSS AMONG ADULTS WITH DIABETES - RESULTS FROM ANATIONAL-HEALTH SURVEY

Although weight reduction can have a favourable effect on glucose cont rol among persons with diabetes mellitus (DM), no national data have b een used to describe weight loss among persons with DM. To address thi s gap, national survey data were used to assess self-reported weight l oss among persons from the USA with and without DM and to identify how other factors might interact with DM to increase the risk of weight l oss. Data from the 1989 United States National Health Interview Survey were analysed for 2185 persons with DM and 18304 persons without DM. Fifty-five percent of persons with DM reported they were attempting we ight loss compared with only 43 % of persons without DM. Among those w ho attempted weight loss, one-quarter of persons with DM lost at least 15 lb (approximately 5.6 kg) during the prior year compared with only 16 % of persons without DM. After multivariate adjustment for demogra phic variables, health care utilization, cigarette smoking, and degree of overweight, persons with DM were 1.7 times more likely to have los t 15 lb than were persons without DM. Among persons with DM, having be en hospitalised twice and having consulted a dietitian or nutritionist during the prior year were both related to intentional weight loss. F urther research is needed to clarify the roles of health status and me dical resources in weight loss effort and success.