Last updated August 22, 2026
Key finding
83% of women in the ILI group remained sexually active compared to 64% in the DSE group (P < 0.008).
This study examined the effects of an Intensive Lifestyle Intervention on sexual function in obese women with Type 2 Diabetes, finding significant improvements in sexual activity and function.
Quick read
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Long-Term (1–5 y)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.
Plain-language summary
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
This study examined the effects of an Intensive Lifestyle Intervention on sexual function in obese women with Type 2 Diabetes, finding significant improvements in sexual activity and function.
Improving sexual function is crucial for the quality of life in obese women with Type 2 Diabetes. The findings suggest that lifestyle changes can have a positive impact on sexual health, which is often overlooked in diabetes management. This highlights the importance of integrating lifestyle interventions into diabetes care.
The study did not assess long-term effects beyond the intervention period. Results may not be generalizable to all populations with Type 2 Diabetes. The sample size and demographic characteristics may limit broader applicability.
Published in
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Rena RW, Dale SB, Isaias NG, et al. Effects of Intensive Lifestyle Intervention on Sexual Function in Obese Women with Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2013;36(10):2937-2944. doi:10.2337/dc13-0315
83% of women in the ILI group remained sexually active compared to 64% in the DSE group (P < 0.008).
Women in the ILI group reported greater improvement in total FSFI scores compared to DSE (P < 0.05).
28% of women in the ILI group experienced remission of FSD compared to 11% in the DSE group (P < 0.04).
Evidence network
Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.
This study contributes evidence to DSMES, Lifestyle intervention for prediabetes and Change in total FSFI scores from baseline to 1 year, Proportion of Women Experiencing Remission of Female Sexual Dysfunction at 1 Year, Proportion of women remaining sexually active at 1 year follow-up.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
DSMES
Primary outcomes
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
Editorial context
See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.
Evidence network role
This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.
1
Related topics
6
Evidence pairs
106
Related studies
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Save studies and evidence pages, organize your personal Evidence Tracker, and keep the research you care about in one place.
Primary evidence
Evidence topic
matched_intervention
Core evidence
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
DSMES → Change in total FSFI scores from baseline to 1 year
DSMES → Change in total FSFI scores from baseline to 1 year
DSMES → Proportion of Women Experiencing Remission of Female Sexual Dysfunction at 1 Year
DSMES → Proportion of Women Experiencing Remission of Female Sexual Dysfunction at 1 Year
DSMES → Proportion of women remaining sexually active at 1 year follow-up
DSMES → Proportion of women remaining sexually active at 1 year follow-up
Lifestyle intervention for prediabetes → Change in total FSFI scores from baseline to 1 year
Lifestyle intervention for prediabetes → Change in total FSFI scores from baseline to 1 year
Lifestyle intervention for prediabetes → Proportion of Women Experiencing Remission of Female Sexual Dysfunction at 1 Year
Lifestyle intervention for prediabetes → Proportion of Women Experiencing Remission of Female Sexual Dysfunction at 1 Year
Lifestyle intervention for prediabetes → Proportion of women remaining sexually active at 1 year follow-up
Lifestyle intervention for prediabetes → Proportion of women remaining sexually active at 1 year follow-up
Evidence Library
Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.
Evidence Library
Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.
Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.
Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Programs and Proportion of women remaining sexually active at 1 year follow-up, Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Programs and Proportion of Women Experiencing Remission of Female Sexual Dysfunction at 1 Year.
This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Behavioral & Lifestyle
Behavioral & Lifestyle
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
All studies on Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Programs
Contributes to Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Programs evidence base.
All studies measuring Proportion of Women Experiencing Remission of Female Sexual Dysfunction at 1 Year
Measures Proportion of Women Experiencing Remission of Female Sexual Dysfunction at 1 Year as a key outcome.
All studies measuring Proportion of women remaining sexually active at 1 year follow-up
Measures Proportion of women remaining sexually active at 1 year follow-up as a key outcome.
Jump to pre-filtered views in Evidence Explorer.
1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Lifestyle intervention for prediabetes appears to improve change in total fsfi scores from baseline to 1 year.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Change in total FSFI scores from baseline to 1 year
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Lifestyle intervention for prediabetes appears to improve proportion of women experiencing remission of female sexual dysfunction at 1 year.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Proportion of Women Experiencing Remission of Female Sexual Dysfunction at 1 Year
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Lifestyle intervention for prediabetes appears to improve proportion of women remaining sexually active at 1 year follow-up.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Proportion of women remaining sexually active at 1 year follow-up
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of DSMES for change in total fsfi scores from baseline to 1 year.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Change in total FSFI scores from baseline to 1 year
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Next steps
Choose a next path through related evidence topics, Evidence Explorer views, and research summaries.
Follow the topics this study contributes to.
Open broader Evidence Explorer views for this relationship.
Read related research summaries.
Focused on evidence, not advertising.
Your data is always protected.
New studies added every day.
