Stability of Body Weight in Type 2 Diabetes: Response to Looker et al.

We thank Looker et al. (1) for their comments regarding our study (2). We also appreciate the authors calling attention to their study (3) regarding weight change in Pima Indians before and after the diagnosis of diabetes. As Looker et al. point out, the two study populations are very different in regard to age, sex, and genetic background. The study design, the study inclusion criteria, and the treatment categories were all different, and the number of times the subjects were observed during the study period was different. Therefore, it is difficult for us to compare our results with those published previously by Looker et al. Nevertheless, our own data, as well as the data obtained in Pima Indians, indicate that rapid weight gain is not a characteristic of most people with type 2 diabetes.