Why do obese people get diabetes

Muscle cells have more insulin receptors than fat cells, so an individual can decrease insulin resistance by exercising. Being more active also lowers blood sugar levels by helping insulin to be more effective.

Unhealthy eating is a contributor to obesity. Too much fat in your diet, not enough fiber and too many simple carbohydrates all contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. It appears that people who have family members with type 2 diabetes are at a greater risk for developing it themselves. As we age, the risk of type 2 diabetes becomes greater. Even if an elderly person is thin, they still may be predisposed to developing diabetes. The pancreas ages right along with us and doesn't pump insulin as efficiently as it did when we were younger.

As our cells age, they become more resistant to insulin as well. These two factors are the hallmark risk factors for many diseases and conditions, including type 2 diabetes. Not only do they damage heart vessels, but they are two key components in metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms including obesity, a high fat diet and lack of exercise.

Having metabolic syndrome increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Women affected by obesity are more insulin resistant when compared to women of normal weight. When pregnant, gestational diabetes generally lasts the duration of pregnancy and approximately 5 to 10 percent of females with gestational diabetes will continue to be diabetic after delivery.

There are a variety of blood tests that may indicate whether you have type 2 diabetes. Let's take a look at each test and see what different results could mean for you and your health.

The amount of sugar in your blood naturally fluctuates but stays within a normal range. The preferred way to test your blood sugar is after you've fasted overnight for at least eight hours. A fasting blood sugar level less than milligrams of sugar per deciliter of blood is considered normal.

If your blood sugar level measures from to , you have impaired fasting glucose, and this may be an indication that you have pre-diabetes. This test is done without any special preparation, such as fasting overnight.

If it is and you also have symptoms of type 2 diabetes, you can expect a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. This test requires you to visit a lab or a healthcare professional after at least an eight-hour fast. At the office or lab, you will drink about eight ounces of a sweet liquid that contains a lot of sugar about 75 grams. Your blood sugar level will be measured before you drink the liquid, then after one hour and again after two hours. Losing weight is one of the most beneficial ways you can help prevent type 2 diabetes.

Moderate and sustained weight-loss 5 percent to 10 percent of body weight can improve insulin action and decrease fasting sugar concentrations. For many individuals, simply adjusting their caloric intake and beginning an exercise program can greatly improve their type 2 diabetes and overall health.

Weight-loss occurs when energy expenditure exceeds energy intake. Creating a calorie deficit will result in weight-loss. Writing down the food, portion size and calorie amount in a food diary will help you become aware of the foods you consume and provide objective evidence of calorie intake. Regular exercise helps maintain weight-loss and prevent weight regain. It also improves insulin sensitivity and glycemic control measurement of the effects of carbohydrates on blood sugar level and may decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

A goal should be set for 30 to 45 minutes of moderate exercise five times per week. The exercise does not need to occur in a single session to be beneficial. Dividing the activity into multiple and short episodes produces similar benefits and can enhance compliance. The good news is that you can fight the factors that result in Type 2 diabetes. Skinny fat people tend to have a type of fat called visceral fat. If you have visceral fat, you may not look overweight, but you may have as much fat as someone who is overweight.

Diet Your diet is an important factor in your risk for diabetes. When we feel stressed, our body releases a chemical called cortisol. Cortisol triggers our fight-or-flight response. The fight-or-flight response helped our early ancestors escape danger, but now it can lead to chronic stress, which can cause damage to the body. NAFLD is a predictor of diseases like Type 2 diabetes, and some experts think it may even cause diabetes. Support Contact Us News Newsroom. This website uses cookies to enhance your user experience, improve the quality of our site, and to show you marketing that is more likely to be relevant to your interests.

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