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