Last updated August 24, 2026
Key finding
Body weight decreased by 27.2 ± 1.9 kg in VLCD + exercise.
This study evaluated the effects of very low calorie diets with and without exercise on metabolic improvements in obese type 2 diabetes patients, finding significant weight loss and metabolic benefits.
Quick read
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Medium-Term (3–12 mo)
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 evaluated the effects of very low calorie diets with and without exercise on metabolic improvements in obese type 2 diabetes patients, finding significant weight loss and metabolic benefits.
These findings highlight the effectiveness of very low calorie diets in managing obesity and type 2 diabetes. The significant weight loss and improvements in metabolic markers suggest that such dietary interventions can be critical in reducing diabetes-related complications and improving patient health.
The study did not include a control group without dietary intervention. Sample size and demographic diversity may limit generalizability. Long-term effects of the interventions were not assessed.
Published in
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Maria AS, Albert JM, Harish KD, et al. Very low calorie diets with and without exercise programs lead to major metabolic improvements in obese type 2 diabetes patients. PLoS ONE. 2014;9(11):e112835. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0112835
Body weight decreased by 27.2 kg in VLCD + exercise and 23.7 kg in VLCD only.
HbA1c decreased from 7.8% to 6.3% in VLCD + exercise and to 6.7% in VLCD only.
Systolic blood pressure decreased from 145 mmHg to 132 mmHg in VLCD + exercise.
Evidence network
Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.
This study contributes evidence to Very-low-calorie ketogenic diet and Blood glucose, Body fat mass, Body weight, and 7 more.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Very-low-calorie ketogenic diet
Primary outcomes
Evidence topics
Primary intervention
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.
5
Related topics
10
Evidence pairs
1606
Related studies
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
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 relationship
Related evidence
Evidence relationship
Save evidence
Evidence relationship
Save evidence
Core evidence
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Very-low-calorie ketogenic diet → Blood glucose
Very-low-calorie ketogenic diet → Blood glucose
Very-low-calorie ketogenic diet → Body fat mass
Very-low-calorie ketogenic diet → Body fat mass
Very-low-calorie ketogenic diet → Body weight
Very-low-calorie ketogenic diet → Body weight
Very-low-calorie ketogenic diet → Clinical attachment level
Very-low-calorie ketogenic diet → Clinical attachment level
Very-low-calorie ketogenic diet → Diastolic blood pressure
Very-low-calorie ketogenic diet → Diastolic blood pressure
Very-low-calorie ketogenic diet → Systolic blood pressure
Very-low-calorie ketogenic diet → Systolic blood pressure
Very-low-calorie ketogenic diet → Total cholesterol
Very-low-calorie ketogenic diet → Total cholesterol
Very-low-calorie ketogenic diet → Triglycerides
Very-low-calorie ketogenic diet → Triglycerides
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 Ketogenic Diets and Body Weight, Ketogenic Diets and HbA1c.
This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Diet and Nutrition
Diet and Nutrition
Diet and Nutrition
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
All studies measuring Body Weight
Measures Body Weight as a key outcome.
All studies measuring HbA1c
Measures HbA1c as a key outcome.
All studies on Ketogenic Diets
Contributes to Ketogenic Diets evidence base.
All studies measuring Blood Pressure
Measures Blood Pressure as a key outcome.
Jump to pre-filtered views in Evidence Explorer.
4 results
4 results
4 results
4 results
4 results
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Ketogenic Diets appears to improve Body Weight.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
Body weight
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 79.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 5 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
Ketogenic Diets may improve HbA1c.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
HbA1c
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 79.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 5 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
Ketogenic Diets may improve Insulin Resistance.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
Insulin
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 6 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
Ketogenic Diets may improve Body Composition.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
Body fat mass
EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 6 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.
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.
