HOW IS DIABETES RELATED TO OBESITY???

People suffering from obesity are more likely to develop diabetes. Here, when we mention diabetes, it refers to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose (sugar) circulating in the blood. Normally, the glucose in the blood is managed by the hormone Insulin that is released by the pancreas. Insulin moves the glucose out of the blood into the muscles to be used immediately for energy, or it transfers it to the liver where it is stored and can be used later.

How Does Obesity Contribute to Diabetes?

In a person suffering from diabetes, the cells in the body that normally take up glucose cause resistance to insulin, which prevents the glucose from being taken up into the cells, leading to elevated glucose levels in the blood. This condition is known as diabetes.

To make matters worse, the area of the liver where excess glucose is usually stored for later use is filled with fat in an obese person. This limits the liver's capacity to store glucose, causing more glucose to remain in the blood.

In response to the excess circulating glucose, the pancreas starts producing more and more insulin to move the glucose out of the blood. Eventually, the pancreas becomes overworked, leading to a decline in insulin production, and diabetes develops.

Thus, while not everyone with obesity will develop diabetes, an obese person is more prone to it.

Managing Diabetes for Obese Patients

The first goal for a patient with obesity and diabetes should be to achieve a healthy weight. Losing as little as 5-10% of overall body weight can significantly improve type 2 diabetes. For example, if someone weighs around 90 kg, reducing their weight by 4-5 kg can positively impact their health.

To control weight, patients should follow a low-carb diet and start exercising regularly.