Type 2 Diabetes and the Link to Obesity

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says there 171 million people worldwide with diabetes and this figure is set to rise to 366 million by 2030. Not only does the illness takes its toll on a personal level, there may be serious economic consequences on a national level in those countries most badly affected.

The increase of obesity is also rising to epidemic proportions. Half the population in some countries is overweight and this can lead problems such as type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and some forms of cancer. One in three Americans born today is predicted to develop diabetes as a consequence of obesity.

Although it is not understood why an excessive amount of body fat causes insulin resistance and, consequently, rising levels of blood sugar and then diabetes, the link has been well established. This makes type 2 diabetes preventable. Figures from the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) suggest that up to 1.7 billion of the world’s population are already at a heightened risk of weight-related non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Prevention
Changing lifestyles have increased the levels of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Now people are less likely to eat fruit and vegetable, preferring instead high-fat, high-energy dense diets. In the past, the majority of workers had hard manual jobs. Housework also involved a large amount of physical labour without the gadgets we have today. People, usually women, washed everything by hand, carried shopping, swept rooms and washed floors on their hands and knees. Children played energetic games at school and in their free time, now they sit in front of computer screens or watch television. Additionally, the ownership of cars has grown considerably over the last 30 years with almost all families owning at least one car and many own even more meaning that people just don't walk anywhere nowadays.

Governments are waking up to the risks of our modern lifestyle and many are trying to promote programs to encourage people to eat a healthy, low fat diet with an emphasis on eating a minimum of five portions of fruit and vegetables a day and increased physical activity. Experts stress the importance of healthy eating and exercise for children so that these will be continued into adulthood.

Treatment options
Weight management is the best strategy to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. Research has shown that even a small amount of weight loss can decrease or slow down the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Group therapy is advised to improve the psychological approach to weight loss, and to maintain an appropriate weight. Drugs to assist weight loss play a role in individuals for whom lifestyle changes alone may be insufficient to produce the required weight loss.

Facts

• Overweight and obesity affect over half the world’s population and diabetes rates are climbing to 20% of all adults in many Middle Eastern, Asian, and Latin American countries.
• Two thirds of adult men and women in the US with type 2 diabetes have a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or greater.
• It is estimated that at least half of all diabetes cases would be eliminated if weight gain in adults could be prevented.
• Non-communicable diseases such as diabetes now account for more deaths each year worldwide than AIDS.
• The twin epidemics of obesity and diabetes already represent the biggest public health challenge of the 21st century.
• Lifestyle interventions, including diet and moderate physical activity, can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by as much as 40-60%.

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Copyright © 2005 - Carol Fisher