A whole-food plant-based diet programme at a Gisborne community-based general practice clinic led to sustained reductions in bodyweight and waist circumference. The 10-week programme consisted of twice-weekly, 2-hour sessions, involving skills-based learning and health education. Participants in the programme (n=56) were aged 30-72 years, had a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2, and a glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) value ≥40 mmol/mol in the last 6 months. Māori and Pacific peoples made up 59% and 5% of participants, respectively. At 36-month follow-up, participants had sustained 3kg of post-treatment weight loss (95% CI 1.2-4.7; p<0.001), and waist circumference reduction of 6 cm. While HbA1c and cholesterol were reduced by 3.3 mmol/mol and 0.4 mmol/L, respectively, post-treatment, reductions were not sustained at follow-up. Greater dietary adherence was associated with better outcomes.
