www.thelighterweigh.com
Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of diabetes.
Type II diabetes used to be called “Adult Onset” diabetes. The name has recently changed to Type II diabetes due to the large number of children developing what used to be an exclusively adult problem. Not long ago, nearly all childhood diabestes was Type I. Now nearly half are Type II. Being overweight is the single strongest risk factor for Type II diabetes.
Let me explain how obesity causes Type II diabetes. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and helps control blood sugar. When you eat, starch is broken down into simple sugars that enter the bloodstream. Sugar causes the release of insulin. Some sugar is used immediately as energy. Insulin takes the excess sugar out of the blood and helps store it in body tissues such as the liver where it can be converted to fat.
Insulin does not work as well in the obese. This is called “insulin resistance”. The body responds to insulin resistance by making more insulin. Increased insulin is not good for the body. Insulin causes increased salt retention and increased constriction of blood vessels, leading to high blood pressure. Insulin also causes the formation of LDL (bad cholesterol) and the breakdown of HDL (good cholesterol).
When insulin resistance first develops, sugar levels are kept under control by the compensatory production of increased insulin. Eventually, the body can no longer compensate and can’t keep sugar levels under control. Blood sugar levels rise and the patient develops type II diabetes.
Health risks of Type II diabetes include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, and peripheral vascular disease. An adult diagnosed with Type II diabetes may require kidney dialysis or develop a heart attack at age 60 or 70. Ateen diagnosed with Type II diabetes may develop these problems in their 30s or 40s.
Type II diabetes that develops during childhood or adolescence is extremely dangerous. The only way to prevent the development of Type II diabetes is WEIGHT LOSS.
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2 comments:
I have a friend who is an insulin-dependent diabetic and he did the Ironman Wisconsin Triathlon in 2005 and is going to be doing it again this year. He has been trying to get the word out about living a healthier life as a diabetic and that it can be done. If you get a chance check out his website http://www.diabetesrebalanced.org/ and read his story. He is very inspiring for young and old.
Thanks again for what you are doing for the children!
My dad has diabetes but stopped injecting insulin when it was becoming too traumatic for my mom and me. It has been a very big part of my life, even though I don't have it but both of my grandfathers died from Diabetes. Because of this, I never got to know them. I am at a very high risk of getting diabetes because a lot of people in my family have it. During the summer, it is harder to stay away from unhealthy food especially at the pool club! But I'm very glad that certain pool clubs in nassau are starting to realize what a healthy choice of food really means.
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