Obesity and Diabetes

Blog Post 4

There is a number of diseases that are caused by or related to obesity.  Many of them have dangerous health consequences such as death.  One of the most prevalent obesity-related diseases that we see today is diabetes.

Of the two types of diabetes, type 2 is the one associated with obesity.  Type 2 diabetes currently effects over seventeen million Americans, that's almost 7% of the country's population.  It is also estimated that over six million Americans also have the disease, but are unaware of it (OS, 2010).  Over the last decade diabetes has increased by forty percent, alongside the increase of obesity which has nearly doubled (Diabetic, 2010).  These staggering statistics show a correlation in the increase of both obesity and diabetes.  The facts continue to say that of the children born in the year 2000, one in three will eventually develop type 2 diabetes.

Ninety percent of people that are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are also diagnosed with obesity (Diabetic, 2010).  Obesity has been shown in some ways, to cause diabetes or make the disease more difficult to control.  An obese person has a lot of extra weight that will make it difficult to maintain glucose levels, and the extra weight may also create a resistance to insulin.  Beta cells in the pancreas produce insulin, and with diabetes, the body is unable to properly use it because the cells are resistant (MedicineNet, 2010).  To avoid complications, blood glucose levels must stay regulated as to avoid hypoglycemia, high blood sugar levels.  Insulin injections may help with maintaining glucose levels, as well as other measures (MedicineNet, 2010).  Those who take insulin must be careful, however, because insulin may also cause obesity.  By injecting insulin, one is injecting glucose, and high amounts of glucose is dangerous because it can be stored as fat (Diabetic, 2010).  Restricting caloric intake, lower consumption of simple carbohydrates and fats and an increased consumption of complex carbohydrates will also help keep safe glucose levels and help treat diabetes.  Just like treatment of obesity, regular exercise may help treat diabetes as it can burn off excess glucose in the body, decreases insulin resistance and may relieve stress which also causes both obesity and diabetes. 

How does one prevent diabetes? Well, one easy way according to Diabetic Care Services is by preventing obesity (2010).  They suggest maintaining a healthy weight by eating right and adding in physical activity to daily routines.  Even to someone who is already overweight, as little as a five to ten percent weight loss could be the different between having type 2 diabetes or not.  The same weight loss to someone with diabetes will reduce the symptoms associated with diabetes such as stroke and blindness (OS, 2010).  Maintaining body weight is the absolute best way to prevent diabetes.  

References:

                Diabetic Care Services. A codependent Relationship: Diabetes & Obesity. 2010. http://www.diabeticcareservices.com/diabetes-education/diabetes-and-obesity

                MedicineNet. Type II Diabetes. 2010. http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=2976

                The Obesity Society (OS). Your Weight and Diabetes. 2010. http://www.obesity.org/information/diabetes_obesity.asp

Why Are We So Fat?

Blog Post 3

If the obesity rates in the United States were any other disease, such as cancer or AIDS, we would call it an epidemic.  The citizens of this country downplay the severity and the consequences of being overweight.  Most do not understand that this disease can KILL. So, why are we so fat anyway?

Well, there are a number of reasons why obesity is plaguing our nation.  There are genetic factors, environmental factors, and psychological factors. Each person is affected differently and very well may be obese as a consequence of all the items listed previously. 

Obesity is a disease that usually follows down the line of families.  While some say it is genetic, it could also be environmental in the sense that families do share genes, but they also share eating habits (Clark, 2008).  However, in one study of adopted individuals, their body weights as an adult were more similar to the body weights of their biological parents, then of their adoptive parents (Clark, 2008). This would mean that the genetic factors played a bigger role in their weight than did the environmental factors. While genes may not be directly to blame for being overweight, the characteristics that some genes cause may play a part.  According to the Center for Disease control and Prevention, genes can be linked to a drive to overeat, tendencies to be sedentary, and an enlarged capacity to store body fat (CDC, 2010).  Just because one is predisposed to be obese, however, does not mean they will certainly become obese.

A person's environment, lifestyle, can also play a huge role in obesity.  The right food choices, and portion control are key, especially if there is a predisposition to obesity.  Exercise and physical fitness help to promote a leaner body.  Most Americans get little or no exercise in their daily lives (Clark, 2008).  Most cities are not built with many parks, places of recreation, and affordable gyms (Psychology, 2010). People simply do not have the tools to help them live an active lifestyle.  And with the emergence of more and more fast food places, with prices that can't compare to a dinner purchased of fresh food at the grocery store, American are eating horribly.  100 years ago, the average American would consume five pounds of sugar in a year.  Today that number is two-hundred pounds! (KNDO, 2010).  And with the sizes of our fast food sodas, it's no wonder why our people are "blimping" out.  When Coca-Cola first introduced their product, it was sold in 6 ounce containers, whereas today we can "large size" our McDonalds order and receive a 64 ounce Coke (KNDO, 2010).  This is pretty standard among our food portions at present day.

Psychologically, people tend to associate eating with certain emotions.  The most popular: sadness, anger and boredom.  Greater self-control is needed when experiencing these emotions.  Depression and obesity have been loosely related as well.  In a sense, it is somewhat of a rotating door, people eat because they are depressed, but they are depressed because they eat and are obese (Clark, 2008).  

References:

            CDC. Obesity & Genetics. January 10, 2010. Retrieved from CDC Website: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Obesity/

            Clark, T. Obesity. 2008. Retrieved from http://www.tjclarkinc.com/d_genetic_obesity.htm

            KNDO. Why is America So Fat? November 15, 2010. http://www.kndu.com/Global/story.asp?S=13508113

            Psychology Today. Obesity (Causes). 2010. http://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/obesity?tab=Causes