Obesity and Diabetes ( Obesity is known to cause diabetes - Essay Example

of the of the Topic Obesity and Diabetes” Obesity has become a threatening problem in most parts of the world. Several researchers have proved that obesity plays a prominent role leading to many health problems and diseases such as type ii diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, osteoarthritis etc. However, what has been considered as a foremost quandary is the true link that exists between diabetes and obesity. “The World Health Organization estimates that 1.1 million people died as a result of diabetes in 2005, and this is almost certainly an underestimate.

Moreover, the figure is expected to increase by 50% during the next ten years,” say Deepa Nath et al [2006]. Lichtarowicz [2004] studies that “More than 22 million children under five years old are obese or overweight, not only from affluent countries. Over 17 million of them are in the developing world. Each one of these children is at a much higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes”. To make the statement stronger the link that exists between type ii diabetes and obesity has been proved strappingly by genetist James Neel in 1962 says Marchand [2006].

In a research conducted by NIDDK, the already existing fact was proved that 95% of the Prima Indians with diabetes are found to be obese. They applied the “thrifty gene” theory of James Neel to investigate and realize the link that existed between diabetes and obesity. With the help of the theory NIDDK found out the fact that Prima Indians were habituated towards eating plenty of food with fat content, and hence resulted in obesity as a genetic problem which further ended up in diabetes for many who engaged in less physical activities.

The U.S.Center for Disease Control has observed, “Occurrences of Obesity and diabetes increased in the United States between 2000 and 2001”. Their study helped in identifying the connection between overweight and obesity with diseases like diabetes, blood pressure, arthritis etc. The U.S. Center for Disease Control say that “those with a body mass index of 40 or higher had an increased risk of being diagnosed with diabetes (7.37 times greater)”. The connection between obesity and diabetes is that, if a body gathers more weight in terms of fat and if it does not involve in physical activities results in body maintaining the excess weight.

Thus, “being overweight is one of the main risk factors for type ii diabetes. The more fatty issues you have, the more resistant your cells become top your insulin” reports Mayo Clinic [2006]. Maintaining the glucose level by eating food items with less fat contents will also reduce the risk of getting type ii diabetes. The Website called Health Link.com also supports the argument over the strong link between obesity and type ii diabetes. They report that “Obesity can complicate the treatment and management of diabetes and can even lead to the body developing a resistance to insulin”[ Health Link.com 2003]. Thus, it becomes very clear that over weight leads to obesity, which in turn develops more risk factors for type ii diabetes in terms of reducing the functioning of insulin, however the only consoling fact is that obese persons could control insulin resistance, if they take care of a balanced less fat diet.

But then that fact that obesity does not arise only from an individual’s food habits has to be accepted, since researchers have proved that family history showing obesity might also lead to the same for future generations, like the case of Prima Indians, which was discussed above.References:“Childhood obesity causes diabetes and other health problems” Health Link Medical Colege of Wosconsin. Online available from http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/941223597.html.Lichtarowicz, Anna. BBC Health Reporter “Obesity Sparks diabetes fears”.

14th November 2004 Online available from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4010469.stm.Marchand, H. Lorraine. “Obesity and Diabetes” The Pima Indians. Online Available from http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/pima/obesity/obesity.htmNath, Deepa. Marie –Therese Heemels and Lesley Anson. “Obesity and Diabetes” Insight Nature 444, 839 [14 December 2006] / doi:10.1038/444839a; Published online 13 December 2006 Online available from http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v444/n7121/full/444839a.

htmlType 2 Diabetes . Mayo Clinic .com Tools for Healthier Lives. Updated on 29th December 2006. Online available from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/type-2-diabetes/DS00585/DSECTION=4U.S.Centers for Disease Control. “Obesity, Diabetes on the Increase in US 44 Million Americans now considered obese- 17 million suffer diabetes. About:U.S. Gov Info /Resources. Online available from http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aa010803a.htm