Health Changes in Diabetic Patients in the Four Week Diabetes Program at Structure House

One hundred sixty-five (165) individuals have completed four weeks on the specialized diabetes program in addition to the core weight loss program at Structure House. The diabetes component includes specialized classes related to diabetes and nutrition, exercise and diabetes, mind-body classes focusing in the impact of stress on diabetes, weekly educational sessions with a nurse addressing health issues associated with diabetes and a weekly appointment with an endocrinologist specializing in diabetes management. In addition to the consulting endocrinologist, Structure House has two certified diabetes educator (CDE) nurses, a certified diabetes educator (CDE) dietician and a master's degree level health educator with specialization in diabetes as a member of the exercise staff.

At the end of the four week treatment program, the following changes are noted in these 165 patients:

Entry

Average Weight=284

Average BMI=46

Average Fasting Blood Glucose=140

Average A1c=7.4

Exit

Average Weight=268

Average BMI=43

Average Fasting Blood Glucose=118

Average A1c=6.8

Remarkably, these improvements in markers of diabetic control were occurring with accompanying significant reductions in the number and dosages of diabetic medications. On average, patients in the diabetic program at Structure House were able to reduce their dosages in diabetic medications by 68.45 % over the four week period of time in the lifestyle weight loss program. Within this group of 165 patients, 47 patients were able to eliminate at least one diabetic medication and 14 patients were able to decrease the dose of at least one medication by more than 50% and 27 individuals who entered the program on diabetic medications had discontinued all diabetic medications at the end of the four weeks. Of the 37 patients who were on insulin treatment at entry into the diabetic program, 12 were able to discontinue insulin and 15 were able to significantly reduce insulin dosages within four weeks of treatment while maintaining satisfactory glucose control. Average total cholesterol was also reduced by 44 points, including an average 29 point reduction in LDL values and a 61 point reduction in triglycerides.