Most of us have been warned about being obese. Scientific research shows that obesity is a significant factor in the development of hypertension, heart diseases, diabetes and other degenerative diseases. Worldwide, obesity rates are escalating and a concomitant and alarming surge in diabetes. The relationship of diabetes and obesity is obvious. But for some time science cannot pinpoint the direct relationship between obesity and diabetes.
Statistics
The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that the obesity epidemic is the biggest challenge in the 21st century. Speaking during the just concluded Weight of the Nation Conference 2012, Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius gave a summary of the obesity epidemic in the USA.
Statistics
The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that the obesity epidemic is the biggest challenge in the 21st century. Speaking during the just concluded Weight of the Nation Conference 2012, Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius gave a summary of the obesity epidemic in the USA.
According to her, in 1985 not one State in the US had obesity rates above 15 percent. Obesity began to rear its ugly in the late 1980s. From that time on the obesity rates had increased to 25 percent in 38 states in 2010. She added that obesity costs the US economy billions of dollars and that it in terms of health care it is a threat to the nation's economic security.
Other statistics from the CDC reveal that in 1999, obesity rate climbed from 12 percent to almost 20 percent during the past 10 years. During that same span of time there had been a parallel increase of diabetics among Americans. 16 million or 6 percent of Americans were diagnosed with diabetes or an increase of 40 percent in 10 years since the 1980s.
Although there are other risk factors for diabetes such as ethnicity, age and family history, obesity plays a critical role in diabetes. It was shown that 80 to 90 percent of type 2 diabetics are obese.
Scientific Studies
First, let's see what insulin resistance is all about. Fat, muscle and liver cells need insulin to absorb glucose and utilize it as energy. Now, when these cells do not adequately respond to insulin, a condition of insulin resistance ensues effectively increasing the amount of blood glucose giving rise to hyperglycemia.
The liver plays an important role. It regulates blood glucose levels by decreasing its secretion of glucose when insulin is available. But when the liver cells develop insulin resistance, the liver fails in its function to regulate blood glucose levels. In effect, what you get is an overwhelming glucose in your blood stream wreaking havoc to your organs and nerves.
Latest studies have now uncovered the direct relationship between obesity and diabetes. ScienceDaily published a study conducted by researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies led by Montminy.
They discovered a condition known as endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) that occurs when a person consumes a high fat diet. This condition is constantly switched on in obese people. Endoplasmic reticulum is a part of the cell. When this happens it results into abnormal glucose production by the liver, which is another critical step to the development of insulin resistance.
Usually ER stress activates some mechanism that would put the cells into health but persistent or chronic ER stress such as what happens in obese people defeats this survival mechanism and puts these cells into glucose production overdrive resulting into uncontrolled hyperglycemia.
Thus, this ER stress mechanism plus insulin resistance results to more hyperglycemia favoring the development of diabetes. This explains why an individual who increasingly accumulates excess weight and becomes obese develops type 2 diabetes as he or she grows older.
What to Do
The US Health Secretary revealed that just losing 5 to 7 % of your total weight can lower your Blood Pressure, improve your blood sugar levels and lower your risk of developing diabetes. The US government is aware of this health dilemma. Through the years it had formulated policies to address the obesity epidemic. Other concerned organizations have put in to place plans and policies to lower the obesity rates.
The bottom line is to maintain a healthy weight or lose weight if you're overweight. You can do this by consuming a balanced diet with enough calories to give your enough energy to function. Practice portion control as this is the key to eating an adequate quantity and quality of food. Be physically active and exercise at least 3-4 times most days of the week. And don't forget that health visit to your doctor.
Article Source: A B Stephens
Other statistics from the CDC reveal that in 1999, obesity rate climbed from 12 percent to almost 20 percent during the past 10 years. During that same span of time there had been a parallel increase of diabetics among Americans. 16 million or 6 percent of Americans were diagnosed with diabetes or an increase of 40 percent in 10 years since the 1980s.
Although there are other risk factors for diabetes such as ethnicity, age and family history, obesity plays a critical role in diabetes. It was shown that 80 to 90 percent of type 2 diabetics are obese.
Scientific Studies
First, let's see what insulin resistance is all about. Fat, muscle and liver cells need insulin to absorb glucose and utilize it as energy. Now, when these cells do not adequately respond to insulin, a condition of insulin resistance ensues effectively increasing the amount of blood glucose giving rise to hyperglycemia.
The liver plays an important role. It regulates blood glucose levels by decreasing its secretion of glucose when insulin is available. But when the liver cells develop insulin resistance, the liver fails in its function to regulate blood glucose levels. In effect, what you get is an overwhelming glucose in your blood stream wreaking havoc to your organs and nerves.
Latest studies have now uncovered the direct relationship between obesity and diabetes. ScienceDaily published a study conducted by researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies led by Montminy.
They discovered a condition known as endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) that occurs when a person consumes a high fat diet. This condition is constantly switched on in obese people. Endoplasmic reticulum is a part of the cell. When this happens it results into abnormal glucose production by the liver, which is another critical step to the development of insulin resistance.
Usually ER stress activates some mechanism that would put the cells into health but persistent or chronic ER stress such as what happens in obese people defeats this survival mechanism and puts these cells into glucose production overdrive resulting into uncontrolled hyperglycemia.
Thus, this ER stress mechanism plus insulin resistance results to more hyperglycemia favoring the development of diabetes. This explains why an individual who increasingly accumulates excess weight and becomes obese develops type 2 diabetes as he or she grows older.
What to Do
The US Health Secretary revealed that just losing 5 to 7 % of your total weight can lower your Blood Pressure, improve your blood sugar levels and lower your risk of developing diabetes. The US government is aware of this health dilemma. Through the years it had formulated policies to address the obesity epidemic. Other concerned organizations have put in to place plans and policies to lower the obesity rates.
The bottom line is to maintain a healthy weight or lose weight if you're overweight. You can do this by consuming a balanced diet with enough calories to give your enough energy to function. Practice portion control as this is the key to eating an adequate quantity and quality of food. Be physically active and exercise at least 3-4 times most days of the week. And don't forget that health visit to your doctor.
Article Source: A B Stephens
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