Obesity is closely linked with diabetes. Indeed, the link between obesity and diabetes is so strong (97 percent of all cases of Type 2 diabetes are caused by excessive weight) that some health experts have coined a new term, Diabesity® to reflect the association.
Obesity Increases Health Risk of Diabetes
Evidence suggests that the relative risk of developing diabetes was 2.9 times higher for obese persons (aged 20-75 years), than for persons of normal weight. Other studies indicate that compared to the risk of type 2 diabetes among normal-weight individuals, the risk is about twofold in the mildly obese (BMI 30+), rising strongly in cases of morbid obesity (BMI 40+) or malignant obesity (BMI 50+). The length of time a patient has suffered from obesity is an additional factor in diabetes risk.
Weight Loss Causes Reduction in Risk
Losing weight – even a modest amount – and taking regular exercise can help prevent diabetes in those at risk. For example, people who lose an average of 10 pounds weight and walk for just 30 minutes a day appear to reduce the risk of developing diabetes by nearly 60 percent. Weight loss and exercise also reduces symptoms of diabetes and improves the management of blood glucose levels in diabetics.
More About Severe Overweight
Causes of Obesity
Obesity Treatment Methods
Treatment of Morbidly Obese Patients
Obesity in Children
Abdominal Obesity Guide
Mild Obesity Guide
Morbid Obesity Guide
Malignant Obesity Guide
Super Obesity Guide
