Evidence Hub

A randomized controlled trial protocol comparing low-calorie Mediterranean and low-carbohydrate diets for diabetes remission in individuals with type 2 diabetes in northern Lebanon: an intervention mapping-based approach

Ayoub JJ, Haidar SA, Blaak EE, De Ruijter D

Frontiers in public health, 2026

50 participants

Abstract

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing worldwide, largely due to obesity and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. Weight-loss-induced diabetes remission offers a promising approach to reducing complications and improving quality of life. Addressing this effectively requires a comprehensive approach that targets behavioral and environmental determinants and is guided by the Intervention Mapping (IM) protocol.

Objective: This paper describes the protocol for a randomized controlled trial comparing two low-calorie dietary approaches for achieving diabetes remission in adults with T2DM, using an IM-based intervention framework.

Methods: This is a two-phase, multi-center, parallel-group randomized controlled trial conducted in primary medical centers in Northern Lebanon. A total of 50 adults aged 18-65 years, with a maximum diabetes duration of 6 years and treated with oral antidiabetic medications, are enrolled. Participants are randomly assigned to follow either a low-calorie Mediterranean-style diet or a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate diet. The study consists of a 6-month weight loss phase developed using the six steps of the (IM) protocol, followed by a 6-month maintenance phase supported by a mobile health application, resulting in a total follow-up duration of 12 months. The primary outcome is diabetes remission at 6 months (HbA1c < 6.5% with or without discontinuation of medication). Secondary outcomes include sustained remission at 12 months, changes in weight…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 50 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

Read the paper

Related studies

Go deeper in Evidence Hub

Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.

Open this study Sign up free