More and more Americans are overweight or obese. If you’re one of them, you may be concerned about your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The two conditions are far more complicated than most people realize, but you can lower your risk and stay healthy.
At Weston Medical Health & Wellness, Dr. Andrea Bretal treats patients who’re dealing with obesity, diabetes, or both. She can help you assess your risk of developing diabetes and guide you through your treatment options.
A genetic analysis performed by the Cleveland Clinic examined the results of five different studies using more than 880,000 participants. The analysis found that obesity clearly increased the risk of type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease.
Obesity can cause insulin resistance and also be a result of insulin resistance, creating a circular pattern that seems hard to escape. Insulin resistance means your body produces insulin but doesn’t let the insulin do its job of taking sugar to your cells.
The result is excessive sugar circulating in your blood. High blood sugar levels are the hallmark of diabetes. High blood sugar can cause damage to many systems in the body, which is why treatment is so important.
The most common measurement of a person’s body fat is a calculation called your body mass index (BMI). Your BMI determines whether your weight is a normal range, if you’re overweight, or if you have obesity.
A BMI of 30 or higher indicates obesity. If you have a high BMI, you’re more likely to develop type 2 diabetes as well as metabolic syndrome. To put it in perspective, almost 40% of Americans over the age of 20 are classified as obese.
Unfortunately, obesity is often seen as a cosmetic issue instead of a health issue. Often times, patients find it hard to lose weight when the visible results are slow to manifest. The combination of insulin resistance, obesity, psychological issues, and society’s attitude, can easily complicate weight loss efforts.
The good news is that losing even just five to ten percent of your body weight can greatly improve your health. Dr. Bretal can help you develop a reasonable, workable plan to lose weight safely and permanently.
There are many paths to weight loss, and the most appropriate one for you depends on many factors. Dr. Bretal may suggest behavioral therapy, medication, nutritional supplements, or other methods to help you lose weight. She'll work with you to create a plan you can stick with.
Are you ready to learn more about your personal risk of developing type 2 diabetes and find out how you can lose weight to maintain good health? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Bretal today. You can visit our website here or call our office at 954-389-1800.
