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9th September 2008
Understanding the Connection
Between Obesity and Diabetes
By Cliff Baker
- Causes of Obesity
- Types of Diabetes
- Long Term Effects
- What You Can Do
Causes of Obesity
It is apparent that obesity and diabetes is on the rise. More people are neglecting to get the necessary exercise needed to maintain a healthy weight. Compounding the problem are high-fat, high-sugar diets and unhealthy eating habits of those prone to obesity. The ingestion of high amounts of fat and refined sugars rapidly increases the amount of glucose in the blood. Glucose in the bloodstream is either used for energy or it is stored away as fat in the body. When glucose input levels far exceed energy output levels the difference produces an unwanted increase in weight gain. There may be some genetic influence but sedentary lifestyles and poor nutrition have caused obesity rates to soar in the United States.
Types of Diabetes
So far physicians have named 3 types of diabetes; gestational diabetes, type 1; juvenile diabetes and Type 2: adult diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs with pregnant women and usually disappears after giving birth. Type 1 diabetes is child or juvenile diabetes and can become Type 2 diabetes when they age to adults. Diabetes is caused when the pancreas can no longer produce the insulin necessary to regulate the glucose levels in the blood. If the glucose is not broken down into its component parts in the blood stream it can have devastating effects such as a stroke leading to coma. Individuals suffering from Type 1 or 2 often need insulin injected from outside the body to assist the breakdown of glucose.
Long Term Effects
The long term effects of a high-fat, high-sugar diet are undesirable weight gain but also the need to have insulin administered from outside the body. Because as the increase in glucose levels causes the need for larger and larger amounts of insulin production the pancreas can stop producing insulin. Sometimes the blood can become resistant to insulin also. High levels of glucose in the blood can pose major health risks for the individual but insulin injections pose risks in and of themselves; accelerated aging and loss of vision to name a few. Obesity is very taxing on the body, bones and organs. Many suffering from obesity can also suffer from high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and gastrointestinal problems.
What You Can Do
Our first line of defense is with our children; we need to educate them and give them the resources to develop healthy nutritional habits and exercises programs. We must encourage our children to be as active as possible and provide them with nutrient rich foods and snacks. If they have put on a few pounds then gradually shift them away from the sedentary routine toward more active and healthy activities. Avoiding Type 1 diabetes may not be possible for you, but a lot can be done to stop it from progressing to Type 2.
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