Obesity and Diabetes in the Adult Population - Essay Example

Obesity and Diabetes in the Adult Population April 1st, 2013 Obesity and Diabetes in the Adult According to recent literature and research, obesity has become a worldwide epidemic that has since brought considerable attention into public health aimed at understanding its epidemiology and the reasons for its current trend. Notably, diabetes has become one of the major global health problems and is far reaching among all sets of populations. Obesity on its own is associated with quite a number of diseases including heart disease, atherosclerosis and especially type 2 diabetes which explains their connectedness in prevalence. Obesity eventually contributes to the increasing burden of diabetes and especially type 2 diabetes (Yang, Kelly & He, 2007). Both diseases reduce the life expectancy of the patients and have quite huge economic as well as societal consequences (Ouchi et al., 2011). This paper focuses on the prevalence of diabetes and obesity amongst the adult population aged between 45-60 years in the United States and subsequently discusses on their definitions, the reasons for prevalence, the cell biology and the cell physiology for both diseases and a listing of the pathophysiological consequences of obesity and diabetes on adults aged between 45-60 years (Natalie et al., 2007). Definition of the Diseases Accordingly, diabetes is defined as a disease in which the body has a shortage of insulin due to its inability to produce enough insulin that helps in controlling sugar and glucose levels in the body (CDC, 2011). On the other hand, obesity is characterized by an excess of adipose tissue (Yang, Kelly & He, 2007 p. 49). Primarily, unhealthy diets and lack of physically activity have been identified as the major causes of obesity. Obesity in many of the western countries is related to reduced life expectancy, high rates of mortality, heart diseases and complications, hypertension and coronary thrombosis (Natalie et al., 2007). It is also associated with an impaired quality of life and economic hardships due to increased costs of health care (Van Straten et al, 2010). Reasons for the Trends among the Adult Population Natalie, et al., (2010), noted that the prevalence of obesity has increased tremendously in recent years especially among individuals who are overweight in their early years in life. When obesity develops during the late stages of life, the individuals become more prone to developing life-threatening complications. Natalie, et al., (2010), further contend that obesity in adolescents is in no doubt associated with an increased risk of severe obesity during their adulthood years. Variations could only be brought about by sex, race or ethnicity. Among the U.S adult population aged between 45-60 years, an estimated 27% had diabetes in 2010. Diabetes is the leading cause of heart disease, kidney failure, stroke, lower limb amputations as well as death in the United States (Yang, Kelly & He, 2007). Most of diabetes related deaths are concentrated among adults aged between 65-70 years (CDC, 2011). Many reasons have been given for this trend. One of the major causes of this prevalence is poor glucose control. Many people do not control their glucose by any means and are at a risk of contracting diabetes in their old age. Moreover, the prevalence rates also increase with age and are thus are experienced more in the adult population (Yang, Kelly & He, 2007). Notably, other reasons that have been given for the prevalence of diabetes and obesity among the adult population include a high intake of energy foods and lack of physical exercise. Prevalence rates are also associated with a high body mass index (BMI) and poor glycemic control. A BMI of 30 and above is an indication of obesity while that of 40 and above indicates extreme obesity (WIN, 2012). A high BMI is relative to cases of obesity and related complications which eventually lead to diabetes among adults. Studies also indicate that cases of female obesity are more than those of men and this puts women at a higher risk of also suffering from diabetes. Conclusively, the increase of diabetes and obesity prevalence among adults has become a major health concern for the population. This is mainly because of the major impacts that it has on the life of the patients. Studies show that diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, can be prevented with proper exercise and diet (Van Straten et al, 2010). Government guidelines also recommend that if healthy adults take part in healthy aerobics and take of some time for vigorous and intense activity, then the risks for diabetes and obesity will be significantly reduced. Cell Biology and Cell Physiology of Diabetes and Obesity in the Adult Population According to Ouchi et al. (2011), understanding the biology of fat cells in the body--also known as adipocytes--can help explain the worldwide epidemic of obesity in the US. The authors indicate that inflammation of these fat cells contributes to metabolic dysfunction which can in turn lead to obesity-linked disorders (Ouchi et al, 2011). When there is excess adipose tissue in the body, the body develops insulin resistance which contributes to the risk of developing diabetes. There is a growing body of evidence that shows a clear connection between inflammation of the adipose tissue and metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes and obesity (Ouchi et al, 2011). This cell biology considerably explains the trends of obesity and diabetes in adults in the US. Similarly associated with adipokines and diabetes is the infiltration of immune cells into the adipose tissue. Normally, adipokines are deposited throughout the body including on organs such as the heart, kidneys and on major blood vessels (Van Straten et al, 2010). When this tissue becomes inflamed, they fail to offer the body the necessary protection against metabolic and cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes. For instance, an adipokine known as plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI1) is said to be the link between thrombotic disorders and obesity. Another one known as ACRP30 decreases the chances of obesity. When inflamed, they fail to protect the body against obesity and diabetic linked complications (Ouchi et al., 2011). On the other hand, obesity could also be due to susceptibility of genes in families (Natalie et al., 2007). Some genes have been confirmed to actively play a role in insulin and hormonal signaling which contributes to the development of diabetes and obesity in adults (Yang, Kelly & He, 2007). There is evidence in the recent etiology of diabetes that there are recessive forms of obesity which lead to diverse mutations of a 4 receptor gene known as MCR4 which is associated with diabetes and has been detected in more than 3.5% of adults with diabetes (Yang, Kelly & He, 2007). The mutations also impair the ADRB3 gene which is responsible for regulating lipid metabolism and thermo genesis thus leading to obesity (Natalie et al., 2007). The Patho Physiological Consequences of Obesity and Diabetes among the Adult Population Diabetes leads to heart disease and stroke. People with diabetes and obesity are more likely to suffer from major heart complications and are exposed to the risk of stroke 2 to 4 times higher than those who do not suffer from the same (Yang, Kelly & He, 2007). Another pathophysiological effect of obesity and diabetes is hypertension (Yang, Kelly & He, 2007). Hypertension is characterized by high blood pressure. Recently, it was discovered that diabetes has become a major leading cause for blindness and eye problems especially among adults who are aged between 20-74 years old (CDC, 2011). Moreover, diabetes on its own has been known for being a major cause of kidney disease among adults. In 2008, for instance, many people admitted with diabetes were being treated for end-stage kidney disease. Many of these patients end up living on chronic dialysis or are forced to get a kidney transplant. Accordingly, research and evidence has it that diabetes may lead to diseases of the nervous system (CDC, 2011). It could severely damage the nervous system and the results of such damage are warring. It ranges from impaired sensation and pain in the limbs, slowed digestion of food and erectile dysfunction just to mention a few. It is also worth noting that over 60% of diabetes patients are likely to end up having lower-limb amputations (CDC, 2011). In pregnant women, diabetes can cause major birth defects for the mother and the fetus. In many cases, it has led to spontaneous miscarriages. In the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, it may expose both the mother and the baby to increased risks. One other consequence of diabetes is death (CDC, 2011). In 2007, diabetes was among the top causes of death with many death certificates having diabetes listed as the underlying cause of death. Overall, the risk of death among people with diabetes is estimated to be twice that of people who fall in the same age bracket but are without diabetes (CDC, 2011). There are many other complications that come with diabetes including susceptibility to other illnesses such as pneumonia and influenza, inability to walk or climb stairs and depression (CDC, 2011). My Role in Combating Diabetes and Obesity My role in the prevention and combating of diabetes and obesity as a health provider will include various interventions. First and foremost, I must participate in educating people who suffer from diabetes and obesity by recommending therapeutic life modifiers such as diet changes or exercise. My role would also be to work with other stakeholders in various support networks to educate people on the risk of the disease prevalence which will help reduce diabetic complications. I could help in advocating for preventive measures such as screening for glucose control and blood pressure control among the adult population which has proved to be the most effective. In conclusion, educating the people can help reduce the risk of micro vascular complications (CDC, 2011) thus largely contributing in combating obesity and diabetes. References: Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2011). Diabetes: Successes and Opportunities for Population-Based Prevention and Control. At a Glance. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/aag/pdf/2011/Diabetes-AAG-2011-508.pdf Flegal, K.M. et al. (2010). Prevalence and trends in obesity among US adults, 1999-2008. JAMA 303, pp. 235-41. Retrieved from http://jama.jamanetwork.com/ Natalie S. et al. (2010). Association of adolescent obesity with risk of severe obesity in adulthood. JAMA 304, pp. 2042-47 Ouchi, N et al. (2011). Adipokines in inflammation and metabolic disease. Nature Reviews Immunology 11, pp.85-97 Van Straten et al., (2010). Effect of Body Mass Index on Early and Late Mortality after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, vol 89. pp. 30-37 Weight-control and Information Network (WIN) (2012). Overweight and Obesity Statistics. NIDDK Publications. Retrieved from http://win.niddk.nih.gov/ Yang, W., Kelly T. & J. He (2007). Genetic epidemiology of obesity. Epidemiological Reviews 29, 49-61. Retrieved from http://epirev.oxfordjournals.org/ Read More