Counterweight-Plus is the intervention used in the DiRECT clinical trial which has been hailed around the world for its success in helping people achieve remission of type-2 diabetes and live healthily, free of diabetes medication. It is one of the programmes offered by Counterweight.
Request details about accessing the programme
 "When doctors told me that my pancreas was working again, it felt fantastic, absolutely amazing! I don’t think of myself as a diabetic anymore. I get all my diabetes checks done, but I don’t feel like a diabetic. I am one of the lucky ones to have gone into remission."
—  Isobel, 66, Glasgow
Counterweight-Plus
This is the intervention used in the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (‘DiRECT’) which produced remission results which are changing the care pathways for type-2 diabetes and enabling patients to target remission instead of chronic management. The programme aims at 15% weight loss or more for individuals with a higher BMI and involves a total diet replacement phase, followed by stepped, structured food re-introduction and then a weight maintenance phase.
About
The Counterweight programmes began in 2000 as a collaboration involving the leading academics from multiple disciplines at seven UK Universities. Research involved assessing the burden of overweight and obesity in public health and the development and evaluation of weight management programmes to improve outcomes.
The programmes belong to the Robert Gordon University which led the research and are managed by Counterweight Limited which was set-up as a spin-out company in 2011 to deliver and support the programmes.
Counterweight Core Programme
Aimed at a moderate weight loss of 5-10% and has demonstrated evidence of both clinical and cost-effectiveness. It is a structured weight management intervention delivered over a 12-month period, using behavioural strategies to assist people to change their lifestyle.
Research
Counterweight is the leading evidence-based weight management company and therefore high on the list for any researcher wanting to investigate the effects of weight loss on their target indicators.
The Counterweight-Plus programme has therefore accumulated a strong evidence base for its effectiveness in improving a whole range of health outcomes. There is particularly strong interest at the moment from healthcare commissioners and individuals for the Counterweight-Plus programme for the remission of type-2 diabetes.
