What Is The Interrelation Between Obesity And Diabetes?

Obesity is another burning health issue that is significantly interrupting people’s quality of life. Apparently, being overweight seems an aesthetic and, in some cases, a medical problem. However, it can develop multiple health problems, specifically termed obesity-related diseases. Health practitioners enlist Diabetes as an obesity-related disease. But the question arises: how? Moreover, which weight range can trigger Diabetes is also a crucial thing to know. Let us unfold the factors that can describe the interrelation between obesity and Diabetes, along with how Diabetes can damage your health.

Know Everything About Diabetes

The human body is like nature’s masterpiece, in which each organ is assigned its specific kind of work. When a person intake a sweet or sugary food containing glucose, a specific hormone, insulin, is released to absorb the glucose into the bloodstream. The pancreas is responsible for releasing insulin when it gets a message that glucose has entered the body. Any disturbance in the whole process leads to malabsorption of glucose and is called Diabetes.

Diabetes is an incurable condition indicated by high blood sugar levels. It occurs due to the body’s incapacity to make or use insulin. Moreover, it may exist permanently in two main types. These include

• Type 1 Diabetes

The immune system in the human body serves as an army and kills harmful objects. Type 1 diabetes is a medical condition in which the immune system misunderstands pancreatic cells responsible for insulin secretion as enemies and kills them. Consequently, a very small or zero insulin remains in the body, and the blood sugar level goes higher. Although it may occur at any age, type 1 diabetes usually develops in childhood or adolescence. Excessive thirst, frequent urination, weariness, impaired eyesight, and weight loss are typical symptoms. Its permanent treatment is not available; however, insulin injections or pumps help to survive and live a better life.

• Type 2 Diabetes

 Type 2 diabetes is linked to insulin resistance. This simply means that the pancreas produces insulin but becomes unable to utilize it to control sugar levels. Symptoms include fatigue, wounds that heal slowly, excessive thirst, and frequent urination. Like type 1 diabetes, it is also incurable, and external insulin sources are the only way to survive.

How Can Diabetes Damage Other Organ’s Health?

Unfortunately, there is no permanent solution to Diabetes yet. However, lifestyle changes and being careful about sugary foods can be helpful. Diabetes gradually interferes with the function of other organs, too. Moreover, chronic Diabetes may result in multiple organ failure that can be disastrous for anyone. Here is a list of a few organs to which Diabetes can significantly hurt.

Cardiovascular Problems

Diabetes has a severe impact on the blood vessels. Persistent high blood sugar levels consequently weaken the walls of blood vessels, narrowing them. Moreover, the presence of excessive glucose in the blood takes the form of fat that can obstruct vessels. All these effects increase the susceptibility of blood vessels to inflammation and blockage. Hence, the risk of heart attacks and strokes may rise. Moreover, Diabetes can be harmful to heart health because it promotes additional risk factors like high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels. Hence, Diabetes may result in severe damage to the heart in numerous ways

Fatty Liver

A medical condition in which extra fat builds up in the liver is often associated with Diabetes, especially type 2. In medical science, its name is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). When type 2 diabetes causes the body to be unable to absorb glucose, it travels to the liver. The liver stores it in the form of fat cells. Fat accumulation interrupts liver function, and the patient has to bear other medical issues as well. Moreover, since fatty liver frequently advances silently, people with Diabetes need to have their livers regularly monitored to avoid severe complications.

Kidney Issues

As Diabetes significantly disturbs the blood vessels, it also interferes with the function of tiny vessels in the kidney. These kidney vessels are responsible for filtering waste from the blood. Interruption to these glomeruli results in protein leaks in the urine and a progressive downfall in kidney function. Moreover, Diabetes that is not well controlled can promote the development of kidney disease, which can ultimately result in chronic kidney disease or possibly renal failure. This condition may lead to the necessity of dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Impact on eyesight

Diabetic retinopathy is a health issue that hurts the vessels in the retina and causes major vision problems. Over time, high blood sugar weakens and damages these small arteries, allowing fluid or blood to leak out. It can cause vision impairment. Moreover, Diabetes also raises the risk of cataracts, glaucoma, and macular edema, among other eye disorders. Hence, eye health can be at high risk if Diabetes remains uncontrolled. 

How Does Obesity Create Diabetes?

Obesity, or being overweight, is a state in which useless fat is placed in various parts of the body. The presence of excessive fat, especially around the belly, increases insulin resistance. Consequently, it increases the chances of type 2 diabetes. Excessive fat cell accumulation causes the body to emit free fatty acids and inflammatory chemicals that block the body’s efficient usage of insulin. Moreover, it is not only the liver or other organs that become heavy with fat piles, but the pancreas also becomes its victim and hence cannot release insulin efficiently. 

Furthermore, the pancreas eventually tries to make more insulin, but this attempt may break down the insulin-producing beta cells. Insulin resistance and decreased insulin synthesis are the two main causes of Diabetes, which explains the interrelation between obesity and Diabetes. To lower the risk of Diabetes, it is essential to prevent obesity at all costs. A balanced diet, frequent exercise, or, ultimately, weight loss surgery can be helpful in this regard.

•  People at high risk of Diabetes

It is a common concept that extraordinarily fat people are at risk of Diabetes or any other obesity-related disease. But it is not so and a matter of great attention. Here is a general standard to check that you are on the brink or not.

• Males with a waist circumference of more than 110
• Females with a waist circumference of more than 88
• Body mass index greater than 35

The chance of Diabetes increases 30 to 50 percent if someone possesses the particulars mentioned above. Hence the interrelation between obesity and diabetes is as strong as one can suppose.

Wrapping Up

To sum up, Diabetes is an incurable as well as a cruel medical condition. It denotes high blood sugar, which can be damaging to health in numerous ways. If a person is diabetic, it means his heart, kidneys, eyesight, and other organs are at high risk. Usually, people try to fight Diabetes but ignore the interrelation between obesity and Diabetes. Being overweight significantly interferes with insulin production and insulin resistance due to fat accumulation in the pancreas. Hence, individuals with excessive weight, although not too much, must handle it through diet, lifestyle changes, or weight loss surgery if necessary. It will not only improve general health status but also guarantee an upgradation of quality of life in the long run.