Obesity linked with Diabetes

Overweight and obesity are associated with a number of chronic non-communicable diseases, including type-2 diabetes & complications (nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy) hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Even a modest weight loss of 5% decreases in body weight has been shown to lower the risk of chronic disease. Obesity causes pre-diabetes, a metabolic condition that almost always develops into type 2 diabetes. 

The changes to the body’s metabolism cause fat tissue (adipose tissue) to release fat molecules into the blood, which can affect insulin-responsive cells by interfering with their activity and lead to reduced insulin sensitivity. Due to which body cannot utilize glucose properly as body cells become resistant to insulin.

 To tackle excess blood glucose more insulin is secreted by the pancreas. In obese individuals, adipose tissue releases increased amounts of non-esterified fatty acids, glycerol, hormones, pro-inflammatory cytokines and other factors that are involved in the development of insulin resistance. Insulin has the ability to prevent the body from using stored fat as a source of energy and plays a role in the deposition of fat.

 The first sign of insulin resistance in males begin by fat deposition in the belly and in females it appears as fat accumulation around buttocks first and then around thighs and waist.

 Abdominal fat causes fat cells to release ‘pro-inflammatory’ chemicals, which can make the body less sensitive to the insulin and ability to respond to insulin.