A new study finds people who eat nuts and peanut butter are less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Researchers from the University of Houston followed Latino middle school students at greater risk for obesity who swapped out peanuts for unhealthy snacks.

After 12 weeks, the children who ate the nuts had a lower body mass index (BMI) than those who did not, and they continued to lower their BMI for 12 weeks beyond the study.

Prior research has shown peanuts can reduce heart disease risk.

The new study findings are published in the Journal of Applied Research on Children.