A 12-week health improvement program combining online and in-person classes helped people with type 2 diabetes reduce their waist size by 4.6 inches and stop taking insulin, according to a 2026 pilot study of 25 people. While blood sugar improvements were modest in both the program and regular care groups, the lifestyle intervention group showed better body composition changes and reduced medicine needs, suggesting structured programs may complement modern diabetes medications.
Researchers tested whether the Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP)—a 12-week course combining online and in-person classes—could help people with type 2 diabetes manage their condition better. According to Gram Research analysis, 25 people with diabetes participated, with some getting the CHIP program plus their regular doctor visits, while others just received standard care. After 6 months, people in the CHIP program reduced their waist size and stopped needing insulin shots, while the control group needed more insulin. The study was small, but results suggest lifestyle programs might work alongside modern diabetes medicines to help patients improve their health.
Key Statistics
A 2026 randomized controlled trial of 25 people with type 2 diabetes found that participants in a 12-week health improvement program reduced their waist circumference by 4.65 inches compared to a 0.56-inch increase in the control group.
In a 2026 pilot study of the Complete Health Improvement Program, people in the intervention group stopped taking insulin therapy while the control group escalated their insulin doses over 6 months.
A 2026 pilot randomized trial found that 69% of participants in a hybrid online/in-person health program completed at least 50% of classes, with lifestyle surveys suggesting improvements in nutrition, exercise, and sleep among completers.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a 12-week health improvement program combining online classes and in-person meetings could help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar and lose weight, even when they’re also taking modern diabetes medications.
- Who participated: 25 adults with type 2 diabetes were split into two groups: 13 people took the CHIP program plus regular doctor care, and 12 people received only standard doctor care. The study lasted 6 months.
- Key finding: People in the CHIP program reduced their waist size by about 4.6 inches and stopped taking insulin, while people in the regular care group gained waist size and needed more insulin. Blood sugar control improved slightly in both groups.
- What it means for you: A structured health program focusing on nutrition, exercise, and sleep might help people with type 2 diabetes reduce their need for insulin shots and lose belly fat. However, this was a small pilot study, so larger studies are needed to confirm these benefits work for everyone.
The Research Details
This was a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the strongest ways to test if a treatment works. Researchers randomly assigned 25 people with type 2 diabetes into two groups: one group attended a 12-week health improvement program called CHIP that included both online classes and in-person meetings, plus they continued seeing their regular doctors. The other group only received their usual diabetes care from their doctors. Researchers measured changes in blood sugar levels (HbA1c), weight, waist size, and how much diabetes medicine people needed at the start, 3 months, and 6 months.
The CHIP program taught people about nutrition, exercise, and sleep habits. It was designed to help people make lifestyle changes that could improve their diabetes. This study was important because it tested CHIP alongside modern diabetes medicines (like GLP-1 drugs and SGLT2 inhibitors) that weren’t available when earlier CHIP studies were done. Previous studies of CHIP didn’t have a control group to compare results against.
The researchers tracked whether people actually joined the program (recruitment), stayed in the study (retention), and attended classes (participation). They also asked people about their lifestyle changes through surveys.
This research design matters because it compares the CHIP program directly against standard care, so researchers can see if the program itself makes a difference beyond what regular doctor visits provide. By testing CHIP with modern diabetes medicines available, the study shows how lifestyle programs work alongside today’s medications—something that hadn’t been studied before.
This was a pilot study, meaning it was small and designed to test whether a larger study would be possible. The study enrolled only 25 people instead of the planned 60, which limits how much we can trust the results. About 69% of people in the CHIP group completed at least half the classes, which was slightly below the 70% goal. Not many people filled out lifestyle surveys, so those results are less reliable. However, the study was well-designed with random assignment to groups and measured real health markers like blood sugar and waist size, which are objective and trustworthy measurements.
What the Results Show
After 6 months, blood sugar control (measured by HbA1c) improved slightly in both groups. The CHIP group’s blood sugar dropped by 0.46%, while the regular care group’s dropped by 0.58%—a difference that wasn’t statistically significant, meaning it could have happened by chance.
However, there were important differences in how people’s bodies changed and their medicine needs. People in the CHIP program lost an average of 4.65 inches from their waist, while people in the regular care group gained 0.56 inches. This suggests the CHIP program helped people lose belly fat, which is important because belly fat is linked to diabetes problems.
Most notably, people in the CHIP group stopped taking insulin (the injection medicine for diabetes), while people in the regular care group needed to start or increase their insulin doses. This is a significant finding because it suggests the lifestyle changes from CHIP reduced people’s need for this powerful medicine.
The lifestyle surveys suggested that people in the CHIP program improved their eating habits, exercise, and sleep, though survey participation was low, so these results are less certain.
The study tracked how many people joined the program and stuck with it. While recruitment fell short (25 people instead of the planned 60), most people who started the program attended enough classes to potentially benefit. The fact that 69% of participants completed at least half the classes shows the program was reasonably acceptable to people, though there’s room for improvement in getting people to enroll and attend.
Earlier studies of CHIP showed it could help people with diabetes improve their blood sugar and lose weight, but those studies were done before modern diabetes medicines became available, and many didn’t have a control group to compare against. This new study confirms that CHIP still works when people are also taking today’s advanced diabetes medicines. The results align with what previous CHIP research found, suggesting the program’s benefits are real and consistent over time.
This study was small with only 25 people, so the results might not apply to everyone with type 2 diabetes. The researchers didn’t recruit enough people (25 instead of 60), which makes it harder to trust the findings. Not everyone completed the program or filled out surveys, which means some results are based on incomplete information. The study only lasted 6 months, so we don’t know if benefits continue longer. Because this is a pilot study, larger research is needed to confirm these results work for bigger groups of people.
The Bottom Line
If you have type 2 diabetes, a structured health program like CHIP that focuses on nutrition, exercise, and sleep may help you reduce belly fat and potentially need less insulin medicine. This approach works best alongside your regular doctor visits and current diabetes medicines. Start by talking with your doctor about whether a lifestyle program is right for you. Moderate confidence: This pilot study shows promise, but larger studies are needed to confirm benefits for all people with type 2 diabetes.
People with type 2 diabetes who want to reduce their medicine needs and improve their body composition should consider this. People who prefer structured programs with both online and in-person support may find this approach helpful. This may be less suitable for people who cannot commit to a 12-week program or who prefer one-on-one coaching rather than group classes.
Based on this study, you might see changes in waist size within 6 months. Reductions in insulin needs may also appear within this timeframe. Blood sugar improvements may take longer to measure. Results vary by person, so discuss realistic timelines with your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a health program help me reduce my diabetes medicine?
A 2026 study found that people completing a 12-week health improvement program stopped taking insulin while control group members needed more insulin. Lifestyle programs focusing on nutrition, exercise, and sleep may reduce medicine needs, but results vary by person—discuss with your doctor.
How much weight can I lose with a diabetes lifestyle program?
The 2026 study showed participants lost about 4.6 inches from their waist over 6 months. Weight loss varies individually based on starting point and program adherence. Waist circumference reduction is particularly important for diabetes management since belly fat affects blood sugar control.
Do online and in-person diabetes programs work better than just doctor visits?
A 2026 pilot study found that people in a hybrid program showed better waist circumference reduction and reduced insulin needs compared to standard care alone. However, blood sugar improvements were similar in both groups, suggesting lifestyle programs add value for body composition but may not dramatically change blood sugar.
How long does it take to see results from a diabetes health program?
The 2026 study measured changes at 6 months, finding waist reduction and insulin reduction by that point. Individual results vary, but discussing realistic timelines with your doctor helps set expectations. Some people may see changes sooner, while others take longer.
Is a 12-week diabetes program enough to make lasting changes?
The 2026 study showed benefits at 6 months from a 12-week program, but researchers noted larger studies are needed to understand long-term effects. A 12-week structured program can jumpstart healthy habits, but maintaining changes requires ongoing effort and support beyond the program.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track waist circumference weekly and insulin doses daily. Record these measurements in your app to visualize progress over 12 weeks. This gives concrete feedback on whether the program is working for your body composition and medicine needs.
- Use the app to log meals, exercise minutes, and sleep hours daily. Set weekly goals for nutrition improvements, aim for 150 minutes of exercise per week, and target 7-9 hours of sleep. Connect with others in the program through the app’s community feature for accountability.
- Check blood sugar (HbA1c) every 3 months with your doctor. Track waist circumference monthly. Monitor insulin doses weekly. Review your app data monthly to identify patterns in eating, exercise, and sleep that correlate with your health improvements. Share this data with your doctor to adjust your diabetes management plan.
This research is a pilot study with a small sample size (25 participants) and should not replace medical advice from your healthcare provider. Results from this study may not apply to all people with type 2 diabetes. Before starting any new health program or making changes to your diabetes medications, consult with your doctor. This article summarizes research findings and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results vary based on genetics, lifestyle, and other health factors.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.