This letter was written by members of the diabetes community in response to the latest announcement, I am sharing here for information.
Dear Diabetes UK,
As members of The Diabetes Community, we are writing to express our profound concerns regarding the recent announcement of a partnership between Diabetes UK and Slimming World. While we appreciate the intention behind supporting individuals with diabetes in managing their weight, we believe there are critical issues that need urgent attention and consideration that have not been addressed by Diabetes UK, despite the many comments via Social Media since the announcement was made.
The partnership between Diabetes UK and Slimming World has raised significant apprehension among those living with all types of diabetes. The emphasis placed by Slimming World on "weight management" fails to acknowledge the nuanced needs of individuals with any type of diabetes, potentially exacerbating eating disorders or disordered eating, and perpetuating stigmas associated with diabetes.
Stigma and Misconceptions About Diabetes:
• The societal stigma surrounding diabetes often perpetuates misconceptions that it is solely a result of lifestyle choices and that weight management alone can control or reverse the condition. This narrative, compounded by media portrayal, can lead to feelings of shame and guilt among individuals with diabetes, impacting their mental health and willingness to seek treatment. A partnership heavily focused on weight management risks reinforcing the idea that individuals with diabetes are solely responsible for their condition, overlooking the multifactorial nature of diabetes. The terminology used by Slimming World, such as “Syns” and "free foods," oversimplifies the complex nutritional needs of individuals with diabetes, failing to address comprehensive dietary management required for effective blood glucose level maintenance.
Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating in Diabetes Management:
• Individuals with all types of diabetes are at heightened risk of developing eating disorders or disordered eating behaviours as part of their diabetes management. The stringent monitoring of food intake, blood glucose levels, insulin administration, and weight during clinic appointments can contribute to an unhealthy focus on food and body weight. Slimming World's approach of categorising foods as "free" or "syns" further reinforces these issues, potentially encouraging behaviours akin to disordered eating and negatively impacting diabetes management.
Diverse Needs of Individuals with Diabetes:
• The dietary and weight management needs of individuals with diabetes vary significantly between types and even among individuals with the same type. While weight loss may be beneficial for some individuals with Type 2 diabetes, it is not a universal solution. For those with Type 1 diabetes, the focus should be on balancing insulin with carbohydrate intake rather than weight loss. The generalised approach to weight management by Slimming World may not adequately cater to these diverse needs, potentially leading to suboptimal management or harm.
The Importance of Individualised Care:
• Effective diabetes management necessitates a personalised approach that considers the unique medical, nutritional, and psychological needs of each individual. A broad partnership promoting a one-size-fits-all weight management program may not provide the tailored care necessary for optimal diabetes management. It is imperative that any intervention in diabetes care is flexible enough to adapt to individual needs and is sensitive to the psychological impacts of the disease and its management.
Conclusion:
While the intention behind the partnership between Diabetes UK and Slimming World may be to support individuals with diabetes in managing their weight, the potential risks associated with such a generalised approach cannot be overlooked. We urge Diabetes UK to reconsider this partnership and prioritise individualised, holistic care strategies that address the physical, psychological, and nutritional needs of each person with diabetes. Collaboration with healthcare professionals specialising in diabetes care, nutritionists, and mental health experts would provide a more balanced and effective approach to supporting individuals with diabetes in managing their condition.
Furthermore, we bring to your attention the apparent contradiction with Diabetes UK's governance policy regarding the involvement of individuals affected by diabetes in shaping its work. It has come to our notice that the Diabetes Lived Experience Advisory (DLEA) Committee was not consulted about this partnership, which is in direct conflict with Diabetes UK's governance principles.
We call upon all involved parties to create opportunities for lived experience to be involved in developing the relationship between Diabetes UK and Slimming World, ensuring that people living with diabetes have a role in shaping the future of this partnership to mitigate potentially harmful repercussions. Specifically, we suggest conversations aimed at challenging the stigmatising language within Slimming World, developing diabetes-specific guidelines in collaboration with healthcare professionals and people with lived experience, to create safeguards against stigma, Eating disorders and Disordered Eating and psychological harm and implementing co-designed pathways to support people living with diabetes to maintain positive long-term outcomes.
We are passionate advocates for ensuring that lived experience remains at the centre of all efforts to drive change in diabetes care. By anchoring social engagement in listening and collaboration, we can work together towards a system that empowers individuals with diabetes to have agency and dignity in their care.
We hope that this letter serves as an opportunity for reflection, learning, and the development of systems to engage with members of the diabetes community more effectively. We are keen to continue exploring how people living with diabetes can contribute to Diabetes UK’s strategic aims and partnerships in the future and would welcome an opportunity to meet with you virtually or in person to further this very important conversation.
Sincerely,
Members of The Diabetes Community, inclusive of Types of Diabetes.