Diabetes on the horizon?

Obesity is a risk of developing serious diseases – such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and depression.

You can be considered Obese if your Body Mass Index (BMI)^§ is exceeding 30 kg/m². Obesity is a chronic metabolic condition affecting adults and children worldwide.

Obesity & Type II Diabetes ​

Many risk factors for type 2 diabetes include age, race, pregnancy, stress, certain medications, genetics or family history, and high cholesterol.

But the best predictor is?

Being overweight or obese.

Incidence of Obesity & Type II Diabetes^# 

As the incidence of obesity rises rapidly, so does that of Type II diabetes. The incidence of worldwide diabetes was 171 million in 2020, but it is expected to jump to 366 million by 2030. - WHO 

But why? 

1. Obesity causes increased levels of fatty acids and inflammation, leading to insulin resistance that can lead to type II ​diabetes. Moreover, the amount of insulin produced may not meet the requirements of the body.

2. Being overweight (especially around the waist), and being inactive, all can raise the risk of insulin resistance.

3. Each five-point increase in BMI increases the relative risk of type 2 diabetes by 67%.

Can weight loss help?** 

1. For individuals, who have already progressed to pre-diabetes, a study showed that an intensive dietary and exercise program decreased the overall risk of diabetes in them by 58%.

2. Another study demonstrated that a loss of 5-10% of body weight could improve overall fitness, reduce HbA1c levels and improve cardiovascular disease factors

3. It also reduces depression and the incidence of sleep Apnea

Living with Obesity & Type II Diabetes^

Living with obesity and type II diabetes is not without its risks. Diseases that may involve damage to Retina, Kidney, Nerves, Skin, Heart and blood vessels are very common.

But, there's a lot you can do to take charge of your health, like:

1. Eating healthy foods

2. Exercising regularly

3. Reducing Stress

4. Maintain a healthy lifestyle at the advice of your doctor

5. Comply with the prescribed medications

^§ BMI = kg/m2 where kg is a person's weight in kilograms and m2 is their height in metres square 

Sources:

#https://11bit.ly/3knXas

**https://bit.ly/3ofEQ1Z

^https://bit.ly/30glbXQ​