Obesity and diabetes

Few diseases have much in common like Obesity and Diabetes. By saying Diabetes, it is Type 2 Diabetes, also called Adult-Onset Diabetes that is referred to in this article. Let us review as to what commonalities exist between Obesity and Diabetes. Much is common between the two, right from the causative factors to the complications they cause.

Obesity and Diabetes are diseases that are increasing in epidemic proportions across the world, courtesy of the changing lifestyles; no wonder we call them “Lifestyle Diseases”! Obesity and Diabetes, what were previously seen mostly in the developed world, currently are as prevalent if not more prevalent in the developing world, a change which can be attributed to the changing lifestyles and also globalisation to a certain extent.

Similarly, Obesity and Diabetes, what were once upon a time considered diseases of the affluent are now seen in the middle-class and the economically deprived sections of the society. This can be explained partly due to the changing lifestyles, especially changing food habits across various sections of the society.

Eating out has now become a regular affair for social reasons and to a certain extent professional reasons in many sections of the society, which contributes to both Obesity and Diabetes.

A child being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes due to Obesity was an uncommon sight a decade ago. A new diagnosis of Obesity-induced Diabetes in a child is a rather regular occurrence in medical clinics these days. Apart from environmental factors that contribute to Obesity and Diabetes, it is pertinent to note that genetic factors are common contributors to Obesity and Diabetes.

The unholy nexus between Obesity and Diabetes is well known and widely recognised by the medical fraternity. It is indeed a well-known fact that Obesity leads to Diabetes by causing Insulin Resistance amongst other complex path physiological mechanisms.

Infact, anthropological measurements like waist circumference which directly correlate with Obesity, correlate with risk of Diabetes as well. It is pertinent to state that other parameters such as high Blood Pressure, elevated Cholesterol, risk of Heart attacks, risk of Brain Stroke and even risk of Cancers are high in both the Obese as well as those with Diabetes suggesting that the underlying disease processes are similar in Diabetes and Obesity.

Obesity leads to Diabetes in a significant number of Obese individuals. The good old saying “Prevention is better than Cure” holds good for Obesity and Diabetes. Both are preventable in the majority of cases. Regular exercise, taking a healthy diet and leading a healthy and balanced lifestyle remain key to prevention of these two diseases. The recipe to prevent Obesity and Diabetes is indeed not all that complex.

Overweight leads to Diabetes and other diseases over time and this may result in inability to exercise due to the various complications such as joint pains, breathing problems, extreme tiredness which in turn leads to further weight gain and worsening of blood sugar control. Unless this vicious cycle is broken early on, the effects might be deleterious on one’s health. It is better to act early that leave till too late. Written by Senior Consultant Endocrinologist, Apollo Health City, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.

By Dr Ravi Sankar Erukualpati