DIET: Diabetes and Obesity
Fighting one of the leading causes of type 2 diabetes
BY:MARGARET FARLEY STEELE
In just one decade, the number of obese Americans jumped 74 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In that same time period, 1991 to 2001, the number of Americans with diabetes increased 61 percent.
The link between weight and diabetes is well-established. Among Americans with diabetes, more than 90 percent have type 2 diabetes, which is most common among overweight, sedentary adults. Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes is often preventable through diet and exercise.
Someone already diagnosed with type 2 diabetes can't turn back the clock, but weight control can help manage the illness. Even losing a modest amount of weight will have a positive effect. "Carrying excess weight makes you more resistant to insulin, making it more difficult to control blood sugar," explains Ann L. Albright, PhD, RD, president-elect, healthcare and education, American Diabetes Association.
In addition to insulin resistance, high blood-cholesterol levels and high blood pressure frequently accompany obesity, contributing to cardiovascular disease and vision loss, two complications of diabetes.
Assisting your loved one who has diabetes enjoy good nutrition, physical activity and tight control of blood glucose levels can spur weight loss. This, in turn, can slow the progression of diabetes, reducing the likelihood of life-threatening complications, reports the North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO).
If you need help developing a sustainable diet and exercise plan for the person you care for, talk to your healthcare provider, a registered dietitian or a diabetes educator.
For more on Diet, click on:
DIET: Meal Planning
DIET: Sugar Substitutes