Benefits of Weight Management in Diabetes Patients – Live Proactively, Live Healthily

Weight control is not only about appearance but also an important part of the journey to manage diabetes. Maintaining a healthy weight helps improve blood glucose, reduce insulin resistance, prevent cardiovascular complications, and improve quality of life.

In response to World Diabetes Day on 08/11/2025, the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City (BV ĐHYD) in collaboration with Embecta Vietnam Co., Ltd., Abbott, Novo Nordisk, and Boehringer Ingelheim organized an online counseling program titled “Weight Control in Diabetic Patients – Live Actively, Live Healthily”. The program provides a comprehensive perspective on diabetes treatment, especially emphasizing the importance of integrating nutrition, exercise, and medical therapy in weight management, enabling patients to proactively build a healthy and sustainable lifestyle on their treatment journey.
According to Associate Professor Dr. Tran Quang Nam – Head of the Endocrinology Department, weight plays a pivotal role in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Reducing weight by 5–10% can significantly improve blood glucose, reduce insulin resistance, and lower the risk of cardiovascular complications. However, the weight loss process should be closely medically monitored to avoid rapid loss that causes muscle loss and electrolyte imbalance. He also emphasizes the importance of early screening for pre-diabetes – a stage where the disease can be reversed if the patient maintains good weight control and lifestyle.

Dr. Hoang Khanh Chi – Endocrinology Department says that overweight and obesity are not only risk factors but also direct causes of diabetes. Accumulation of visceral fat increases insulin resistance, causing disturbances in glucose, lipid, and blood pressure metabolism. Therefore, patients need to control blood glucose, weight, blood pressure, and blood lipids simultaneously to prevent long-term complications. The doctor also recommends that individuals with a family history of diabetes or who are overweight/obese should have regular blood glucose testing to detect early and intervene promptly.

From a clinical nutrition perspective, Dr. CKII. Đinh Trần Ngọc Mai – Department of Nutrition – Metabolism emphasizes the principle “eat enough – correctly – diversely” to maintain energy balance and metabolic health. Patients should not completely eliminate carbohydrates, but should prioritize slowly absorbed carbs such as brown rice, oats, sweet potatoes, whole grain cereals to control blood sugar and maintain satiety. Meals need to increase high-quality protein, especially plant protein combined with a moderate amount of lean animal protein, while also adding plenty of green vegetables and whole fruits to provide fiber and essential vitamins. Each patient needs an individualized portion based on energy needs, activity level, and health status. Reducing 500–700 kcal/day from maintenance needs helps achieve safe weight loss while preserving muscle mass. Dr. Mai also notes that extreme diets such as prolonged fasting or strict low‑carb should not be applied, as they can lead to loss of muscle mass, metabolic disorders, and essential micronutrient deficiencies.

Alongside nutrition, Dr. CKI. Bùi Thị Minh Phượng – Department of Rehabilitation asserts that exercise is an important “over‑the‑counter medication” for effective disease control. Patients should maintain at least 150 minutes per week of aerobic activities such as walking, swimming, cycling, combined with an additional 2–3 resistance training sessions to preserve muscle mass and increase energy metabolism. Before exercising, blood glucose should be measured and a light snack taken if using hypoglycemic medication or insulin injections to avoid the risk of hypoglycemia during and after exercise. Proper training helps control blood glucose, reduce visceral fat, and improve cardiopulmonary endurance, thereby enhancing patients’ quality of life.

In addition to the professional sharing segment, the program also provides an interactive session, directly answering questions between patients and experts on weight control, lifestyle, and diabetes treatment. Particularly, participants are guided to use the UMC Care application to schedule appointments, monitor blood sugar levels, store test results, and manage electronic health records, helping patients become more proactive in health care and have a more convenient, effective medical experience at BV ĐHYD.