Two birds, one stone: Fight obesity and diabetes together

10 years ago | Diabetes

By pH health care professionals

Type 2 diabetes has been on the rise in the U.S. Of the people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, about 80 to 90 percent are also diagnosed as obese. This provides an interesting clue to the link between diabetes and obesity.

So, how exactly can obesity cause Type 2 diabetes?

Having excess body weight may induce or aggravate insulin resistance (a key feature of Type 2 diabetes), research shows. Obesity can cause an imbalance in certain hormones as well as defects in the pancreatic cells that are responsible for producing insulin.

How can you be more proactive?

Get expert help. If you’ve tried to lose weight on your own without success, there may be medical issues that need to be addressed first, and then you need to find a fitness and nutrition program that you actually enjoy, that works and that will keep you motivated and on track. Someone who is both obese and diabetic may be facing additional roadblocks to successful weight loss, including side effects from diabetic medication, poor blood sugar regulation and control, and related complications. A knowledgeable doctor can help you understand what your options are and how you can lose weight safely and effectively.
Set small goals for yourself. Research studies have found that lifestyle changes and small amounts of weight loss (even just 10-15 pounds) may help to prevent or delay the development of Type 2 diabetes among high-risk adults.
Walk. Studies show that walking for 150 minutes per week can help reduce diabetes risk by 40-60 percent.
Get a meal plan. Nutritional counseling may be beneficial for figuring out the appropriate caloric intake as well as which foods to restrict and which to enjoy. Or better yet, pair private one-on-one training with nutritional counseling to get custom-tailored results that work for your lifestyle.

Enjoy Your Healthy Life!

The pH professional health care team includes recognized experts from a variety of health care and related disciplines, including physicians, attorneys, nutritionists, nurses and certified fitness instructors. This team also includes the members of the pH Medical Advisory Board, which constantly monitors all pH programs, products and services. To learn more about the pH Medical Advisory Board, click here.