Introduction:-Diabetes and Obesity are two medical conditions rapidly increasing around the globe. For the treatment of both Diabetes and Obesity, we have to consider the relation between both medical conditions, and how they are related to each other. We will discuss here the connection between Diabetes and Obesity. This can help us to understand how to handle both conditions simultaneously.
What is Diabetes and Obesity?
What is Diabetes?:– You need energy to perform your daily working routine activities. For energy, we eat foods and get glucose from the food and utilise it. If our system is unable to utilise all the glucose received from the foods, then the level of glucose or sugar increases in our blood. The presence of sugar above the normal limit in our blood for a long time is known as Diabetes.
There are two types of Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes:– This type of diabetes occurs when there is less production of Insulin hormone in the body. Cells can only receive sugar in the presence Insulin is essential. Pancreas has the responsibility to produce Insulin. If the pancreas releases less or no insulin, we have to give insulin by injection to utilise the sugar present in the blood. Type 1 diabetes cannot be cured but can be managed by physical activities and medicines.
Type 2 Diabetes:– More people are affected with Type 2 diabetes. This type of diabetes is a lifestyle-generated disease. It can happen with less physical activity and more obesity. Type 2 diabetes can be cured by changing lifestyle and reducing body fat along with medical suggestions.
What is obesity?
Obesity is a condition where body fat increases; it is measured by body mass index (BMI) considering body height and weight. 30 and more BMI is considered as obesity. Obesity occurs when you eat more calories than you burn by physical activity. Excess calories are deposited as fat in our body and result in obesity. Two factors are responsible for obesity, one is bad food habits and another is less physical activity.
The Link Between Diabetes and Obesity
Let us discuss diabetes and obesity. Diabetes ( mainly in type 2 diabetes) and obesity have strong connections with each other .
Obesity is directly proportional to Type 2 diabetes:-. Obesity is one of the main reasons for type 2 diabetes. The risk of type 2 diabetes increases as more fat is deposited around the abdomen. This is because fat restricts the release of chemicals and hormones that are responsible for regularising sugar.
Insulin resistance:– Insulin is responsible for the absorption of sugar from blood to cells so that we can utilise it to perform our daily activities, but obesity creates resistance to insulin resulting in less sugar absorption and more sugar in blood that leads to diabetes. To increase absorption, the pancreas releases more insulin. More insulin also creates other medical complications.
Risk of Diabetes during Pregnancy:- Obesity in pregnant ladies can lead to the risk of type 2 diabetes. This type of diabetes concurs during pregnancy and increases the risk of diabetes for both the mother and child later in life.
Other Risk Factors:- Obesity is also connected to other risks like high blood pressure and high levels of lipids in the blood. When these factors are combined with obesity, it increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Prevention and Management of Diabetes and Obesity.
Type 1 Diabetes cannot be cured, but managed under medical supervision. Because it occurs due to low performance of an organ called the pancreas. The good news is that type 2 diabetes can be cured. There are many steps you can take to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and manage both conditions i.e. diabetes and obesity. Let us discuss
Balanced and healthy diet:- You have to choose a balanced and healthy diet with less sugar and low unhealthy fat content. You have to consider low Glycemic Index foods. Avoid direct sugar and sugary drinks and packed foods. Eat only fresh fruits and vegetables as per your limit.
Here’s a table of low glycemic index (GI) foods with quantity per serving, glycemic value, and glycemic load:
Food | Quantity per Serving | Glycemic Value (GI) | Glycemic Load |
Apples | 1 medium (182g) |
38 |
6 |
Cherries | 1 cup (140g) |
22 |
3 |
Grapefruit | 1/2 medium (123g) |
25 |
3 |
Pears | 1 medium (178g) |
38 |
4 |
Plums | 2 medium (120g) |
24 |
4 |
Oranges | 1 medium (130g) |
44 |
5 |
Strawberries | 1 cup (152g) |
40 |
1 |
Kiwi | 1 medium (100g) |
58 |
6 |
Peaches | 1 medium (150g) |
42 |
5 |
Apricots | 3 medium (130g) |
34 |
4 |
Sweet Potatoes | 1 medium (130g) |
44 |
11 |
Quinoa | 1 cup cooked (185g) |
53 |
13 |
Oatmeal (rolled oats) | 1 cup cooked (234g) |
55 |
13 |
Lentils | 1 cup cooked (198g) |
32 |
5 |
Chickpeas | 1 cup cooked (164g) |
28 |
9 |
Black Beans | 1 cup cooked (172g) |
30 |
7 |
Greek Yogurt (plain) | 6 oz (170g) |
11 |
4 |
Almonds | 1 ounce (28g) |
0 |
0 |
Walnuts | 1 ounce (28g) |
15 |
1 |
Spinach | 1 cup cooked (180g) |
5 |
1 |
Please note that these values are approximate and can vary depending on factors like ripeness, preparation methods, and individual metabolism.
Daily Exercise:-The most approved method to manage and cure type 2 diabetes is daily physical activity. It can be brisk walking, exercise, yoga etc. or a combination of all the physical activities as per your capacity. Weight training can be helpful to control and manage your Diabetes and obesity. Yes, it should be as per your capacity.
Reduce weight:- If you are overweight in respect to your height, you should lose your weight gradually, that can help to control your diabetes. A combination of Healthy Foods and physical activity can hit your target.
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Medical suggestion:– You should follow the instructions of your doctor and take prescribed tablets accordingly. As soon as your sugar level gets down your medicine will also be reduced.
Regular check-ups:- It is important to check your health condition regularly. Regular checkups of your Sugar or diabetes can help you to manage your medicine dose and other activity. It becomes more important if you have a family diabetes history.
Stress management:– It has been proved that more stress can increase the risk of diabetes.. Stress management should be part of your life. Stress can be managed by Meditation and Yoga. You can spend some time with your close friends also. It will help you more.
Understand yourself:- To manage and cure your diabetes and obesity, you should understand yourself and learn about diabetes and obesity.
Conclusion:– There is a strong relationship between Diabetes and obesity, especially type 2 diabetes. Obesity helps to increase Type 2 diabetes risks and makes diabetes management complicated. You can lower the risk of diabetes and obesity by selecting a healthy lifestyle, having a balanced diet, doing regular exercise, weight management, and meditation and yoga along with prescribed medicine, if any.
Remember, you should take care of yourself because you know yourself better than anyone. Whenever you feel low, take appropriate steps to resolve the issue. Your life is more important than anything. Save it, love it.