Is Overweight Associated to Diabetes?

Insulin is an important body hormone produce by the pancreas to help absorb sugar in the blood to be used by our body. The sugar molecules, if not absorb, makes the blood concentration viscous; thus increasing blood pressure that may damage small vessels in the eyes and brain.

Modern studies have revealed over and over again that there is a direct link between overweight /obesity and the diagnosis of type II diabetes, or non insulin dependent diabetes. Otherwise given the name as adult onset diabetes, type II DM is increasingly being diagnosed in overweight children and teenagers. In this form of diabetes, the body does secrete insulin, but interference from the complications of obesity doesn’t allow the body to use it as it should.

The system of a type II diabetic, due to an overproduction of insulin, can no longer produce the correct amount to maintain healthy blood sugar levels and so tries to develop a resistance to insulin. 90% of people who have diabetes are diagnosed with type II diabetes. Most of the time, this diagnosis comes when they go beyond 40 years of age, but the condition is now surprisingly increased in children. Since 1968, obesity in American children has doubled, and today, approximately 25% of American kids are obese. This increase in obesity can be directly linked to the increase in type II diabetes in both children and adults.

Researches have shown that an increase in abdominal fat is the reason for glucose intolerance, as well as to overeating and general obesity. A body mass index (BMI) of over 40 has been blamed to a higher possibility of developing diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that a healthy BMI ranges from 18.5 to 24.9. Obese individuals often have diets high in carbs, starches and sugars, and low in protein and good fats. The way in which these foods are digested is related to how the body processes sugar.

Comparable to obesity, type II diabetes can be avoided early on. And your efforts are not put to waste, as even a mild weight loss can lower one’s risk of developing type II diabetes by as much as 5 – 10%. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a well balanced, healthy diet, along with moderate exercise on a regular basis, as the first steps in preventing overweight / obesity and diabetes. Adapting good coping mechanism in times of stress in order to minimize it can also go a long way in preventing diabetes type II.