Obesity and type 2 diabetes share a close association. Research highlights that obesity is a common risk factor that can lead to the development of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Maintaining a moderate weight and making certain lifestyle adjustments can help slow or prevent diabetes.
Obesity is a condition that occurs when a person has excess body fat that may affect their health. A health expert might diagnose a person with obesity if they have a sufficiently high body mass index (BMI).
Diabetes describes a group of conditions that affect how the body processes blood sugar. Type 2 diabetes, the most common type, occurs due to problems using or producing insulin. This hormone is responsible for allowing glucose in the blood to enter cells, which provides them with the energy to function.
Research highlights an association between obesity and the risk of developing both prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Insulin resistance is a common feature of these conditions. It occurs when cells no longer respond to signals from insulin. This causes the pancreas to work harder to produce sufficient insulin to maintain blood sugar levels. Over time, the pancreas loses its ability to release insulin, which can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes.
In this article, we discuss the relationship between obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Obesity is a major risk factor for various health conditions, including type 2 diabetes. According to the National Diabetes Statistics Report, in 2013–2016, 45.8% of adults with diabetes had obesity, and 15.5% had extreme obesity. The report also notes that among U.S. adults with diabetes, 89% were overweight or had obesity.
Some evidence indicates that an individual with obesity is approximately 10 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than someone with a moderate body weight. Research also indicates that the prevalence of obesity-related diabetes in the U.S. may rise to 300 million adults by 2025. In fact, some health experts use the term diabesity to refer to the combined adverse health effects of obesity and diabetes.
Excess body fat, particularly around the abdomen, appears to be a major contributor to inflammation that can lead to type 2 diabetes. Having obesity usually results in low level but chronic inflammation, and research highlights that inflammation plays a role in the development of diabetes.
Although experts do not yet fully understand the complete mechanism, obesity-linked inflammation contributes to insulin resistance. This term refers to when cells in the body do not respond well to insulin and cannot easily take up glucose from the blood. This causes the pancreas to produce more insulin to keep blood sugars within a healthy range.
However, over time, the pancreas is unable to keep up, and this results in high blood sugar levels. High levels of sugar in the bloodstream can be very damaging and cause various complications. To try to lower blood sugar levels, the liver sends excess blood sugars to fat cells, which store it as body fat.
Some other risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes include:
Type 2 diabetes also has other modifiable risk factors. These can include:
The American Diabetes Association notes that maintaining a moderate weight may help a person prevent or manage diabetes. For many people, this may simply involve finding the right combination of exercise, healthy foods, and portion control.
Taking part in physical activity plays an important part in losing weight and maintaining a moderate weight. The exact amount of physical activity necessary varies from person to person.
However, a good goal to aim for is 150–300 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise each week. This can include activities such as brisk walking. Alternatively, a person could aim for 75–150 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise, such as running or cycling, each week.
It is vital to eat a variety of nutritious foods from all food groups, in suitable amounts. These food groups include:
A person can also use tools such as the Body Weight Planner and Plate Method to help guide meal plans and portion sizes.
Learn more about which foods to limit or include with diabetes.
There is a strong link between obesity and diabetes. Having excess body fat is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and it can negatively affect a person’s health in other ways.
To help manage and potentially prevent diabetes, it is advisable for a person to maintain a moderate weight. Strategies to achieve this include getting regular exercise, consuming a varied eating plan, and controlling portion sizes.
Last medically reviewed on September 23, 2022
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Current Version
Sep 23, 2022
By
Sarah Vevers
Edited By
Peter Brown
Medically Reviewed By
Kelly Wood, MD
Copy Edited By
Isabel Godfrey
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