TITLE:
Obesity and type 2 diabetes
AUTHORS:
Subhashini Yaturu
KEYWORDS:
Diabetes; Obesity; Body Mass Index; Impaired Glucose Tolerance; Insulin Resistance Syndrome
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Diabetes Mellitus,
Vol.1 No.4,
November
8,
2011
ABSTRACT: Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are public health problems, with health consequences and economic costs that have raised concern worldwide. The increase in the prevalence of diabetes parallels that of obesity. Some experts call this dual epidemic ‘diabesity’ Elevated body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were significantly associated T2DM. One consequence of obesity is an increased risk of developing T2DM. There is evidence that the prenatal, early childhood, and adolescent periods are critical in the development of obesity. Most obese individuals have elevated plasma levels of free fatty acids (FFA), which are known to cause peripheral (muscle) insulin resistance. Weight loss either with lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy or bariatric surgery improves glycemic control and metabolic parameters that are related to cardiovascular disease. Pharmacotherapy for glycemic control with metformin or GLP-1 agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors help in weight reduction.