Diabetes obesity link: how to lower your risk of diabetes with weight management

Increasing overweight and obesity are major risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes. The risk is higher when the weight gain occurs during adulthood. In fact, evidence shows that body mass index (BMI) is directly and continuously related to the risk of type 2 diabetes. Individuals with upper body obesity are at high risk for hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rates of type 2 diabetes have tripled in the past 30 years. This is caused largely by the rapid rise in the rate of obesity, a major risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes. Over the last decade, there has been a rapid escalation in the prevalence of obesity, one that parallels the equally rapid increase in type 2 diabetes. The development of type 2 diabetes can be delayed or sometimes prevented in individuals with obesity who are able to lose weight. In type 2 diabetes, weight loss improves glycemic control and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Strategies to decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes include behavior therapies in combination with healthy lifestyle changes, optimizing medication for weight neutral effect, anti-obesity medication, and weight loss surgeries.