“Is obesity a direct cause of diabetes?”
My family has long history of obesity, and I think that's why most of them suffer from type 2 diabetes. I'm not considered obese yet, nor do I have diabetes. But if I don't take care of myself, would I have type 2 diabetes as well?
4 Answers
Yes.
It is very linked, if you do not take care of yourself, you have even higher risk.
DM2 is a complex disease with no easy explaination. It is a combination of inherited gene or genes and environmental factors. Obesity is certainly a major environmental factor. For reasons that are not completely clear, fat causes resistance to insulin so the body has to increase the insulin produced to keep the blood sugar down & used properly. With the increased insulin secretion, the pancreas begins to wear out faster & secretion decreases. Then blood sugar will go up-Diabetes. So yes take care of yourself to prevent this extra strain on your pancreas. Diet, exercise & keep your wt. down. You can't change your inheritance but you can control the environmental factors.
You have a valid concern. Type 2 diabetes does have a genetic link to other family members developing diabetes in the future. Controlling your weight and exercise can delay the onset of diabetes. Of course, eating right and not overeating carbohydrates such as french fries, pastries and pasta, etc., will not only help your weight, but will help in the development of Type 2 diabetes. The answer is, yes, do continue to watch your weight and diet and be regularly checked for diabetes as it can slip up on you. By controlling your weight, eating a healthy diet focusing on low glycemic foods, increasing exercise, you can take proactive measures to live a healthy lifestyle and prevent becoming insulin resistant in the future. This is a good question which I am asked quite frequently in my clinic.
