Recruiting

Testing a short-term low-calorie diet for teens with obesity and type 2 diabetes

Plain-English translation of NCT06572345 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated July 2026 · Translation generated July 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing whether a short-term, low-calorie diet can help teenagers aged 12–17 who have both obesity and type 2 diabetes lose weight and achieve diabetes remission. The diet uses meal replacement products (like shakes, soups, and bars) for 12 weeks, followed by a 12-week phase where regular foods are gradually reintroduced in a structured way, and then a weight maintenance phase. Researchers want to see if this approach is safe, practical, and effective for young people.

Many teenagers with type 2 diabetes struggle to manage their weight and blood sugar with medication and lifestyle changes alone. This trial explores whether a structured, short-term low-calorie diet could help reset their metabolism, allow them to lose significant weight, and potentially put their diabetes into remission — offering them a different treatment option.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are between 12 and 17 years old
you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (with a blood sugar marker called HbA1C between 42 and 80 mmol/mol)
you have obesity, defined as a BMI at or above the 98th percentile for your age and sex
you and your parent or guardian (if under 16) are willing to commit to the full diet program, food reintroduction phase, and weight maintenance phase, including all study visits
you are able to give informed consent (if you are 16–17) or your parent/guardian can consent with your agreement (if you are 12–15)

You likely don't qualify if…

you have very high blood sugar levels (HbA1C greater than 82 mmol/mol)
you have type 1 diabetes or diabetes caused by genetic mutations or rare syndromes
you have significant mental health conditions that would make it difficult to participate
you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the study period
you have diabetes that developed as a result of cancer treatment or bone marrow transplant

What participation looks like

If you join this study, you will work with a study dietitian and doctor at your local hospital. You'll follow a meal replacement diet (using prepared shakes, soups, and bars provided free by the study) for 12 weeks, eating about 800–1000 calories per day. After that, you'll spend 12 weeks gradually reintroducing regular foods back into your diet under your dietitian's guidance, using special low-calorie recipes. Finally, you'll enter a weight maintenance phase to help you keep the weight off. Throughout the study (about 9 months total), you'll have regular visits to check your progress, blood sugar levels, and weight. Some participants will also be invited to share their thoughts about the program in interviews.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 20, 2026 · Not medical advice

Testing a short-term low-calorie diet for teens with obesity and type 2 diabetes

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations