(1) Background: Prior research in individuals with overweight/obesity and prediabetes or type 2 diabetes has shown that the ingestion of protein-rich food and non-starchy vegetables before concentrated carbohydrates (a carbohydrate-last food order) led to lower postprandial glucose excursions over 180 min, compared to eating the same foods in the reverse order. To expand upon this research, we sought to examine the feasibility and impact of carbohydrate-last food order behavioral intervention on glucose tolerance (GT), HbA1c, weight, and nutrient intake in adults with prediabetes in the real world over a 16-week span. (2) Methods: A total of 45 adults with overweight/obesity and prediabetes were randomized to receive 4-monthly standard nutritional counseling (C) or standard nutritional counseling plus carbohydrate-last food order counseling (FO) sessions (NCT# NCT03896360). (3) Results: The FO group decreased in body weight (−3.6 ± 5.7 lbs, p = 0.017), and trended toward lower HbA1c (−0.1 ± 0.2, p = 0.054). The C group weight trended lower (−2.6 ± 6.8 lbs, p = 0.102) without altering HbA1c (−0.03 ± 0.3, p = 0.605). GT was unchanged in both groups after 16 weeks. Changes in weight, HbA1c, and GT were similar between groups. Sensitivity analysis of pre-COVID participants showed significant weight loss in the FO group (−5.9 ± 5.3 lbs, p = 0.003) but not in C group (−1.0 ± 6.8 lbs, p = 0.608). After 16 weeks, the C group significantly reduced its daily intake of calories, fat, protein, and grains whereas the FO group increased its daily intake of vegetables and protein. There were 17 (94%) FO participants that reported high intervention adherence and 13 (72%) reported it was easy to eat protein/vegetables before carbohydrates. (4) Conclusions: A carbohydrate-last food order is a feasible behavioral strategy in individuals with prediabetes that improves diet quality, notably increasing protein and vegetable intake.

Abstract Background and Objectives Ordering the ingestion of carbohydrate-rich foods after protein/vegetables (carbohydrate-last food order) significantly reduced postprandial glucose and insulin excursions over 180 min in patients with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, compared with the reverse food order (carbohydrate-first) in previous research. We implemented a 16-week food order behavioral intervention, assessing its feasibility and impacts on glucose tolerance (GT), HbA1c, and weight (wt) in adults with prediabetes. Methods Participants with overweight/obesity and prediabetes (HbA1c 5.7-6.4%) were randomized to receive either standard nutritional counseling (control group) or standard nutritional counseling plus carbohydrate-last food order counseling (FO group). Participants were instructed to maintain their usual level of exercise throughout the study; this was assessed by the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise questionnaire at baseline and wk 16. Participants in both groups received 4 in-person brief counseling sessions at 1-month intervals. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, later participants received some or all of their counseling via telemedicine. Oral GT was tested at baseline and week 16. Feasibility was assessed via a questionnaire. Results Of the 45 randomized subjects, 39 completed the study (control 21, FO 18). Demographics and baseline variables including wt (190.8 lbs vs 191.1 lbs) and HbA1c (6% vs 6%) were similar between groups. Exercise levels did not differ between groups at baseline and wk 16. Within FO group, body wt declined (-3.6 ±5.7 lbs, p=0. 017; -1.8% ±2.8, p=0. 012), and there was a trend towards improvement in HbA1c (-0.1 ±0.2, p=0. 054). Control group wt changed (-2.6 ±6.8 lbs, p=0.102; -1.6% ±3.5, p=0. 048) without altering HbA1c (-0. 03 ±0.3, p=0.605). Changes in wt, HbA1c, and GT were not significantly different between groups. At week 16, 17 FO group subjects (94%) reported high intervention adherence, 13 (74%) reported it was easy to eat protein/vegetables before carbohydrates, and 14 (78%) reported they would continue eating protein/vegetables before carbohydrates. Conclusions Carbohydrate-last food order is a feasible behavioral strategy in individuals with prediabetes. More research with a larger sample size and longer duration is needed to delineate its clinical impact. Presentation: Sunday, June 12, 2022 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Introduction: Obesity is a chronic disease caused by dysfunctional neurohormonal systems that result in excess weight, adiposopathy, and increased risk for many comorbidities including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Lorcaserin is a serotonergic agonist specific to the 5HT2C receptor that is FDA-approved for the long-term management of obesity in adults with BMI>30 kg/m2 or BMI>27 kg/m2 and at least one weight-related comorbidity.Areas covered: The authors review the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic properties of lorcaserin alongside updates on serotonin’s mechanism of action in the central nervous system. The efficacy of lorcaserin in the management of obesity, its related comorbidities, and potential therapeutic applications are also discussed.Expert opinion: The future of obesity management requires a multimodal and personalized approach. The high medical complexity of patients warrants polypharmacotherapy to achieve their metabolic goals. Lorcaserin has proven efficacy and safety in the treatment of obesity and its weight-related comorbidities including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. New evidence elucidating its effects on dopaminergic pathways and on glucose homeostasis expands its prospective uses.