Project summary
Our DiRECT study showed that a low-calorie weight management programme can help some people with type 2 diabetes lose weight and go into remission. But most DiRECT participants were from White European backgrounds and older. So, it’s unclear if younger South Asian people could benefit in the same way. Dr Sophie Jones will explore how young South Asian people respond to a low-calorie diet compared to White people. This could help to tailor remission care for this group and improve their health.
Background to research
A third of people who are living with type 2 and under 40 are from South Asian backgrounds. When people develop type 2 at a younger age it tends to be more aggressive and harmful.
Our landmark DiRECT trial showed that a low-calorie diet weight management programme can help some people with type 2 go into remission by ‘rebooting’ the pancreas and restoring insulin production. It inspired the NHS to roll out the Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission programme.
But insulin production is lower in South Asian people and in those diagnosed with type 2 at a younger age. This can make it less likely that type 2 can be put into remission.
Most evidence so far on low-calorie diets and remission comes from research involving older White European participants. This means we don’t yet know if remission programmes are as effective for younger South Asian people.
Understanding these differences is crucial for designing care that works for everyone.
Research aims
Dr Sophie Jones will compare how a low-calorie diet affects young South Asian and White people.
She’ll study 60 people aged 18 to 40 years who are enrolled onto the NHS Path to Remission programme from White European and South Asian backgrounds. Before and after a 12-week low-calorie diet, Dr Jones will measure insulin production, fat stored in the pancreas and liver, genetic risk for low insulin production, and diabetes features.
She’ll explore differences between the groups and investigate the cause of these.
Potential benefit to people with diabetes
This research could help more young South Asian people with type 2 go into remission and improve their health, by revealing how low-calorie diets affect them and why their responses may differ from White European people.
This knowledge could show how the NHS could adapt the Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission programme to make it more tailored and effective for this group.
