Obesity is a chronic health problem that is often progressive and difficult to treat. An estimated 80% to 90% of persons with type 2 diabetes are also overweight or obese. Recent studies have predicted a 7-fold increase in obesity in 20 years. The risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and some forms of cancer increases with excessive body fat as well. This relationship between increasing body fat and adverse health outcomes has been proven across all levels of obesity in men and women, in all age groups, including those greater than 75 years of age.
Some type 2 diabetes risk factors
- Having a parent, brother, or sister with diabetes
- Certain ethnic groups (Aboriginal, Hispanic, South Asian, Asian, or African descent)
- Weight-related comorbidities such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and heart disease
- Having given birth to a baby that weighed more than nine pounds at birth or having had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)
- Being overweight, especially if that weight is mostly carried around the stomach (central obesity)
The current method to determine risk is by measuring BMI – Body Mass Index. The Canadian guidelines for body weight classification in adults by BMI lists 7 levels:
∗ Body mass index (BMI) values are age and gender independent and may not be correct for all ethnic populations.
But there are ways to combat obesity – these are the facts:
- An estimated 80% to 90% of persons with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese.
- A modest weight loss of 5% to 10% of body weight can substantially improve glycemic control and reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors.
- Comprehensive health intervention should be implemented in overweight and obese people with diabetes or those at risk for diabetes to prevent weight gain and to achieve and maintain a reduced body weight.
- Bariatric surgery may be considered for appropriate patients when other interventions fail to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.
About type 2 diabetes and prediabetes
Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes usually develop in adulthood, although recent studies are showing that more children and adolescents are being diagnosed. Prediabetes means a person’s blood glucose (sugar) levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes that requires medication. Nearly half of those with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes. Research shows that some long-term diabetes complications such as heart disease and nerve damage may begin during prediabetes, but the risk of developing diabetes can be reduced through lifestyle modifications. Once Type 2 Diabetes has developed, if it is left undiagnosed or untreated, it is a leading cause of life-threatening complications, including heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and amputation. Currently, 20 people are diagnosed with diabetes every hour of every day.
Assess your risk for diabetes at the Diabetes Canada website now and help support diabetes research. Visit www.diabetestest.ca.
If you are diabetic or pre-diabetic and want to learn more about how a bariatric procedure may help you with your condition, consult with one of our Surgeons today. Call (888) 278-7952 or at smartshapeweightloss.kinsta.cloud/connect to book your free consult.
The post Check your risk factors for Diabetes! first appeared on SmartShape Weight Loss Centre.