The link between obesity and Type 2 diabetes is so strong that the medical community has coined the term “diabesity.” Are you overweight and worried that you'll develop diabesity? Gurprit Sekhon, MD, at Nu Wave Medical Center can help.
Diabetes is a disease characterized by high levels of sugar in your blood that results from a defect in your body's ability to produce insulin, its resistance to insulin, or both. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that regulates blood glucose levels. It prevents sugar levels from getting too high or too low, which influences the way your body uses glucose for energy or stores it as fat for later use.
Type 1 diabetes usually strikes children and young adults and is the result of the body's immune system attacking pancreatic cells.
In Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for 90-95% of diabetes cases, is a disease where cells do not use insulin properly. Eventually, the pancreas loses its ability to produce insulin. Diabetes can lead to:
A recent report released by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that more than 100 million American adults are living with diabetes or prediabetes, which can lead to Type 2 diabetes within five years. The National Institutes of Health says nearly one fourth of adult diabetics are obese, further reinforcing the link between obesity and diabetes.
Losing weight is a top goal for people with obesity and diabetes. Losing just 5-10% of body weight can improve insulin action, decrease glucose blood levels, and reduce or eliminate the need for diabetes medications.
Everyone knows losing weight and keeping it off is tough. Dr. Sekom and her team will create a personalized diet plan based on your health, food preferences, and weight loss goals. Once you've lost the weight, Dr. Sekom will develop a food plan that can help you maintain the weight loss.
Exercise is another big part of losing weight. The CDC recommends that adults should do at least 150-300 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise.
Losing weight will not only help you avoid or fight diabetes, it also has several other health benefits, such as:
If you're overweight and think you’re at risk for developing diabetes, Dr. Sekhon and her medical team at Nu Wave Medical Center can help. Call Nu Wave Medical Center today or use the online booking button to schedule a consultation.
