Type 2 diabetes diagnosed early in adulthood can bring complications and affect health for decades. A new trial offers evidence that a supported programme combining a low-energy diet with structured exercise can help younger adults achieve remission, while losing fat and maintaining muscle.
In the RESET for Remission study, published in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, Dasgupta and colleagues (2026) recruited 96 adults aged 18–45 at three centres in England and Canada. Participants had obesity, had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the previous six years, and were not receiving insulin. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: one received the diet-and-exercise programme, while the other continued their normal diabetes care.
During the first 12 weeks, the programme combined an 800–900 kcal daily diet with two supervised exercise sessions and one independent session each week. Exercise included aerobic and resistance training. Participants received clinical monitoring and dietary support. A further 12 weeks focused on a weight-maintenance diet and independent exercise.
At 24 weeks, 27 of the 50 programme participants (54%) had achieved remission, compared with two of the 46 receiving usual care (4%). Remission meant an HbA1c level —a measure of average blood glucose over roughly the previous two to three months— below the diabetes diagnostic threshold of 6.5%, without glucose-lowering medication for at least 12 weeks.
The researchers also examined changes beyond blood glucose. Compared with usual care, the programme produced greater weight and fat loss, without evidence of greater loss of fat-free mass or muscle volume. Handgrip strength and fitness relative to body mass improved. Participants also reported improvements in depressive symptoms, diabetes-related distress and quality of life. These findings support further investigation of a programme that addresses both remission and physical function, combining both supervised exercise and diet. The additional professional contact may also have influenced participants’ reported wellbeing. The study provides a basis for larger, longer trials to tet the longer-term persistence of the obtained results. For younger adults with type 2 diabetes, it offers a promising direction: structured support that seeks to improve glucose control while paying attention to muscle, fitness and everyday wellbeing.
Coordinator at la Verneda-Sant Martí Learning Community and adjunct professor at the University of Barcelona