Objective
To investigate whether there is a significant effect of growth hormone(GH) treatment with diet and exercise over the diet and exercise alone in obese non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus(NIDDM).

Method
Twenty obese NIDDM adults were studied. We measured the body weight, body composition and exercise capacity before and after 12 weeks of treatment program. The subjects were assigned in a double-blind manner either to the diet, aerobic exercise with placebo treatment group(group A) or to the diet, aerobic exercise with GH treatment group(group B) for twenty-week period. Two groups were compared for the demographic data.

Results
After 12-weeks of treatment program, each group showed a significant weight loss (group A: 8.54±2.29 kg vs group B: 7.14±2.99 kg) than before the treatment, however there was no significant weight loss between two groups. After 12-weeks, the fat fraction of body weight loss was significantly higher in group B than group A(0.80±0.40%kg versus 0.55±0.30%kg). After 12-weeks, the maximal oxygen consumption was similarly increased in both groups(23.75% in the group A versus 29.2% in the group B). After 12-weeks, the peak torque was similarly increased in both groups(9.7% in the group A versus 17.3% in the group B). After 12-weeks, the endurance was similarly increased in both groups(10.1% in the group A versus 8.1% in the group B).

Conclusion
Both group A and B showed a significant weight loss and resulted in a comparable gain in the muscle strength, endurance, and maximal oxygen consumption. The addition of GH in a low dose to a the calorie-restricted diet and aerobic exercise resulted in a significant fat loss especially around the visceral area.