Importance of Weight Loss in Type 2 Diabetes

Four hundred million people worldwide are affected by type 2 diabetes, a chronic, progressive disease. Overweight adults are more likely to be diagnosed with the condition because excess body fat can cause insulin resistance. Their pancreas still produces insulin, but their bodies cannot use it properly or move glucose into the cells. As the amount of glucose in the blood rises, the pancreas works even harder to make more insulin. However, the pancreas eventually wears out to overcome the problem, and its ability to produce insulin is affected.

Eighty to ninety percent of patients with type 2 diabetes are overweight. In the U.S., obese men have a seven times higher risk of developing the condition than their healthy weight counterparts, while obese women have a twelve times higher risk. There is no known cure for type 2 diabetes, but the disease can be controlled, and in some cases, patients can even experience remission.

Prediabetic Prevention

A National Institute of Health study found that weight loss delays the onset in prediabetic patients and decreases the risk of type 2 diabetes. Several clinical trials have established the potential to prevent type 2 diabetes in high-risk individuals by lifestyle intervention. The key seems to be a comprehensive approach that simultaneously helps correct several risk factors. There should be a strong focus on increased physical activity and dietary changes. Even lifestyle interventions lasting only a short time seem to have a long-lasting effect on risk factors and the occurrence of diabetes.

A Finnish Diabetes Prevention study identifies five predefined lifestyle targets that high-risk individuals with impaired glucose tolerance should aim for when preventing diabetes:

• weight loss greater than five percent
• intake of fat less than thirty percent
• intake of saturated fats less than ten percent
• increase of dietary fiber greater than fifteen grams per thousand calories
• increase of physical exercise to at least four hours a week

These targets are relatively easy to attain, and most people reach them with no problem. These same targets also apply to those diagnosed with diabetes and are feasible lifestyle changes for the long term.

Diabetes Diagnosis

Type 2 diabetes no longer has to be seen as a lifelong disease. A type 2 diagnosis changes your life and may seem overwhelming to handle. However, changes in your lifestyle, including a diet and exercise plan, can be implemented slowly and with the support of your diabetes healthcare team.

After consulting with your doctor, you will better understand where to begin when it comes to starting a new weight loss routine. It will take time to figure out what works for you and what you need. You may need to adjust your plan many times before you find the perfect plan tailored to your physical and emotional needs. The first step is finding the motivation to begin, especially if you are not used to exercising or dieting.

One factor that often motivates diabetic patients to get serious about their health is the fear of all the adverse effects and complications. Type 2 diabetes patients need to be aware of why it is imperative to make these lifestyle changes. Type 2 diabetics have a greater risk of death from heart disease and certain types of cancers. Weight loss helps protect diabetes patients from common complications like eye diseases (retinopathy), neuropathy (nerve damage), liver damage, kidney failure, high blood pressure, and stroke.

Doctors need to emphasize the importance of managing blood glucose levels to minimize the complications of type 2 diabetes, whether a patient is on medication or not. Glycemic control is essential in reducing the risk of complications of the condition. Most type 2 diabetes patients are advised to keep their A1c level below seven percent.