Weight loss on a structured hypocaloric diet with or without exercise improves emotional distress and quality of life in overweight and obese patients with type 2 diabetes

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the effects of a caloric restricted weight loss program with or without supervised resistance exercise training (EX) on diabetes‐related emotional distress and quality of life (QOL) in overweight and obese patients with type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a parallel design, 106 men and women with type 2 diabetes were randomized to a prescriptive 16‐week caloric restricted diet (D; 6,000–7,000 kJ/day), with (n = 65) or without (n = 41) EX (three times per week). Bodyweight, glycated hemoglobin, diabetes‐specific emotional distress (Problem Areas in Diabetes [PAID] questionnaire) and QOL (Diabetes‐39 [D‐39] questionnaire) was assessed pre‐ and post‐intervention. RESULTS: A total of 84 participants completed the study (D n = 33, D + EX n = 51). Weight loss was significantly greater in D + EX compared with D (−11.4 ± 5.8 vs −8.8 ± 5.8 kg, P = 0.04 time × diet). Overall, there were significant improvements in glycated hemoglobin, PAID total score and the D‐39 dimensions of ‘diabetes control’, ‘anxiety and worry’, ‘sexual functioning’, ‘energy and mobility’, ‘overall rating of QOL’ and ‘severity of diabetes’ (P ≤ 0.01 for time). The D‐39 dimension, ‘social burden’, did not change (P = 0.07 for time). There was no difference between groups in the response for any of these variables (P ≥ 0.10). CONCLUSION: A structured caloric restricted diet with or without EX improves emotional distress and QOL in overweight and obese patients with type 2 diabetes. This trial was registered with Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (http://www.anzctr.org.au; ACTR No: ACTRN12608000206325).