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Monash University > News and Events > Monash Memo
Weighing up Type 2 diabetes
21 October 2009
In a world first, researchers at the Monash Centre for Obesity Research and Education (CORE) will trial the benefits of gastric banding on overweight people with Type 2 diabetes.
Lead investigator Professor Paul O'Brien said until now gastric banding surgery was reserved for people who were obese with a Body Mass Index (BMI) above 30.
"We want to find out if people who are moderately overweight will benefit from weight loss more efficiently and permanently using gastric banding and therefore put their Type 2 diabetes condition into remission," Professor O'Brien said.
Professor O'Brien said the benefits of gastric banding surgery in the reduction of Type 2 diabetes in obese patients was proven following clinical trials at CORE two years ago.
"We cannot assume from that research that the gastric banding procedure would also be the best treatment option for those who are overweight," he said.
"There are possible differences in the background drivers of the disease that may be significant and currently we do not offer the gastric banding procedure to people who are not obese."
At present 50 volunteers are being sought to participate in the randomised trial. Half will undergo gastric banding surgery, while half will have their Type 2 diabetes monitored and be given assistance to lose weight.
"Two out of three Australian adults are overweight and most have tried, often many times, to lose weight and keep it off but are unsuccessful," Professor O'Brien said.
"We know that the most effective treatment for diabetes is weight reduction and we suspect that the more weight you lose regardless of whether you were obese or not, the more likely that your diabetes will go into remission.
"This trial aims to provide the necessary data for people to make an informed decision about their weight and management of their Type 2 diabetes."
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