Malaysia is facing a dual epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Today, one in two Malaysian adults is overweight or obese, placing them at greater risk of developing diabetes. More than 3.5 million Malaysians are already living with the condition, while obesity rates continue to rise.1
Weight remains a key driver of diabetes progression, yet many Malaysians struggle to achieve lasting results without structured support. Losing weight can help improve blood sugar control, enable the body to use its own insulin more effectively, and support healthier cholesterol and blood pressure levels. It can also reduce the risk of developing diabetes-related complications and other serious health conditions.2
Importantly, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most effective ways to manage type 2 diabetes, with evidence showing that the likelihood of diabetes remission increases as the amount of weight loss increases.2
New research offers hope
Losing weight is personal and complex. People have a variety of approaches they can take – like bariatric surgery, anti-obesity medications, or lifestyle modifications – but diet and exercise remain the most viable option for many. Research shows that weight-loss diets using diabetes-specific nutrition as snack or meal replacements are consistently more effective for weight loss than food-based weight-loss diets.3,4
A new study from Abbott and Changing Health showed that adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes can achieve meaningful health improvements after 12 weeks following a low-calorie diet with diabetes-specific nutrition shakes.2
The study, published in Clinical Diabetes, included 157 adults who were recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who followed a low-calorie diet that included two to four daily servings of a diabetes-specific nutrition shake as a partial meal replacement. They also had a digital app where they had access to information including meal plans, one-to-one coaching and continued health care professional support.
After 12 weeks, the participants showed an average 11 kg weight loss (or 11% body weight reduction), 1% A1C reduction, and a significant reduction in blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic. Every 1% drop in A1C can lead to reduction in risks of complications, such as microvascular complications (37%) and death related to diabetes (21%).5
This was a first-of-its-kind and largest study to date that looked at the feasibility and effectiveness of a low-calorie diet that included a diabetes-specific nutrition shake in a real-world setting.
“Results of this magnitude are often associated with far more intensive or invasive treatment approaches, highlighting the impact of structured lifestyle intervention to take control of diabetes,” said Dr Nina Mazera Mohd Said, Nutrition Medical Director at Abbott, “This study demonstrates that significant weight loss and improved diabetes control are achievable in everyday settings when healthy routines are supported by coaching, technology, and structured nutrition.”
Practical ways to build healthy routines
Between work, family responsibilities and social commitments, healthy intentions can easily be disrupted by everyday demands. But it’s important to note that managing diabetes is not simply a matter of willpower.
Dr. Nina observed, “Many people with type 2 diabetes know what they should do to manage their condition but turning that knowledge into daily habits is often the hardest part. Building a routine creates structure and reduces decision fatigue, making healthy choices easier to maintain over the long term.”
By creating practical habits that fit into daily life, people are more likely to be motivated to stay on track with their health goals. Here are three practical ways to start building healthier routines.
- Focus on one change at a time
Sustainable change starts with small, achievable steps. Instead of trying to overhaul your entire lifestyle overnight, focus on building one healthy habit at a time until it becomes part of your routine. This could be sticking to a consistent eating schedule, taking a 15-minute walk after meals, choosing water over sugary drinks, or setting aside time each day to monitor blood glucose levels. Small wins build confidence and momentum, making it easier to maintain healthy behavior over time. - Make mindful food swaps
Healthy eating does not mean giving up all the foods you enjoy. Often, simple substitutions can make a meaningful difference. Identify snacks or foods you commonly reach for and look for healthier alternatives that better support blood sugar management. For example, instead of choosing fried foods, pastries or sugary snacks, swap those with a diabetes-specific nutrition that is formulated to support gradual glucose release and help minimize post-meal blood sugar spikes, while providing balanced nutrition as part of a healthy eating plan. - Track progress, not perfection
Managing diabetes is a long-term journey, and setbacks are a normal part of the process. Rather than aiming for perfection, focus on consistency and progress over time. Set realistic goals and celebrate achievements along the way, whether that’s losing a few kilograms, improving blood glucose readings, being more physically active, or making healthier food choices more consistently. Monitoring progress can help keep you motivated and remind you that meaningful improvements often come from small actions repeated day after day.
The key takeaway is that a structured lifestyle and continuous support are critical. Managing type 2 diabetes can feel overwhelming, especially when coupled with the challenge of losing weight, but the study by Abbott and Changing Health shows that meaningful change is possible. Every healthier meal, every exercise, and every positive choice is a step towards better health. The journey begins with small daily habits—and over time, those habits can lead to significant improvements in weight, blood sugar control and overall diabetes management.
References:
- Ministry of Health Malaysia, National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023 and 2024
https://iku.nih.gov.my/images/nhms2023/key-findings-nhms-2023.pdf
https://iku.nih.gov.my/images/nhms2024/key_findings_nhms2024.pdf - Trenell M, Camprubi Robles M, Taylor L, et al. (2025). A Pathway to Type 2 Diabetes Remission: Weight Reduction and A1C Improvements Are Facilitated by a Low-Calorie Diet Including Diabetes-Specific Nutritional Formula and the Use of Digitally Enabled Reinforcement. Clinical Diabetes, 43(5), 772–780. Retrieved from https://diabetesjournals.org/clinical/article/43/5/772/163627/A-Pathway-to-Type-2-Diabetes-Remission-Weight
- Astbury NM, et al. Obes Rev. 2019;20(4):569-587. doi: 10.1111/obr.12816 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6849863/
- Saris WH. Obes Res. 2001;9 Suppl 4: 295S-301S. doi: 10.1038/oby.2001.134 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1038/oby.2001.134
- Stratton IM, et al. 2000;321(7258): 405-412. doi: 10.1136/bmj.321.7258.405 https://www.bmj.com/content/321/7258/405
