Maturity-onset diabetes of the young: an illustrative case for control of diabetes and hormonal normalization with dietary management.

The efficacy of diet therapy used for one patient with the newly classified maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is reported. Using the conventional American Diabetes Association's food exchange system with appropriate caloric restriction, the patient's weight was reduced from 25% to 6% above ideal body weight in the 14-wk study. Results of three meal tolerance tests compared with a group of lean, normal subjects revealed a steady improvement from baseline and postprandial hyperglycemia, with concomitant normalization of the counterregulatory hormones as well as hemoglobin A1, free fatty acids, and subsequent euglycemia. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of dietary manipulation as the major therapy in MODY with obesity.