Type 2 diabetes is a demanding condition that comes with a number of difficult side effects but, unfortunately, there is no specific cause that we can identify. However, we know this for sure: weight plays an important role.
Below, we’ll delve into how obesity and type 2 diabetes are connected, how the condition affects weight management, and the best ways to combat weight gain if you have the disease.
How are obesity and diabetes linked?
Several factors play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes, such as age, genetics, the environment, and a history of gestational diabetes or polycystic ovary syndrome.
But obesity, defined as a body mass index of 30 or higher, and fat distribution are the main risk factors.
In fact, a study published in April 2020 in Diabetologia concluded that obesity and an unhealthy lifestyle were associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes , regardless of genetic predisposition. And, according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, more than 90 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese.
Overweight people are three times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, and people affected by obesity are seven times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than someone of normal weight .
The reason is a little complicated. Obesity causes a state of chronic inflammation in the body, where immune cells located in adipose tissue produce toxic chemicals that affect the work of insulin. These chemicals also cause a state known as lipotoxicity, which damages the body’s ability to produce insulin. ”
However, the location of fat in your body is important. Those with more hard abdominal fat, also known as visceral fat, tend to have a lower insulin sensitivity than those with more subcutaneous fat (the soft, clamp-on type just below the skin).
People who have an excessive amount of fat also store it in organs such as the liver, pancreas, kidneys, and heart, which can damage the function of these vital organs.
Excess fat can also be stored in the muscles , which helps maintain our body’s sensitivity to the insulin we produce and to burning glucose (sugar) for fuel. When the body no longer finds a place to store energy, our muscles are forced to become a store of fat, which can seriously harm the body’s ability to remove excess glucose.
Why type 2 diabetes can cause weight loss?
One of the first signs of type 2 diabetes is unplanned weight loss, and not just a pound or two. Unexplained weight loss of 5 kilos or more in a short period of time is cause for concern. Guilty? Insulin resistance.
If the body is unable to sensitize insulin, which means it is not taking glucose from the blood and into the cells to use it for energy, the body will need to find an alternative energy source. Then you can resort to the use of fat and / or muscle as an energy source. The net effect is unintended weight loss.
However, this is more common when someone has type 1 diabetes .
Does diabetes cause weight gain?
Oddly enough, type 2 diabetes is also linked to weight gain, and insulin is the reason again.
Since insulin is a growth hormone, insulin resistance can promote weight gain as the body tries to make more and more insulin.
The number on the scale can also increase when someone takes insulin medication, a common treatment for type 2 diabetes when lifestyle changes, such as changes in diet and increased exercise, fail to control blood levels. sugar in the blood.
Weight gain may be a sign that insulin therapy is working , as your body uses sugar, fat, and protein more effectively. Now that your body can store and use these nutrients for energy, taking in excess calories leads to excess fat.
Additionally, dehydration is common when type 2 diabetes, a product of the frequent urination mentioned above, is not controlled. But when someone starts managing the condition and the body has a chance to rehydrate, you may notice a few extra pounds of water weight.
Will losing weight help control the disease?
People with type 2 diabetes can improve their blood sugar levels by losing 5 to 10 percent of their body weight.
But diet is already difficult when you don’t have a medical condition. Since insulin and other medications used to treat diabetes can make it harder to lose the weight necessary to control blood sugar levels, it may take extra effort to get the balance moving in the right direction.
To reduce the risk of weight gain with diabetes, it is important to control glucose levels through a healthy diet and exercise .
How to control your weight?
Clean your diet
Weight loss can only occur if you create a calorie deficit , which means you are burning more than you are taking. A deficit of 500 to 1,000 calories a day will result in a loss of 0.5 and 1 kilo per week.
People with type 2 diabetes should limit or avoid complex carbohydrates like bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, cereals, peas, and sweet potatoes because they tend to raise blood sugar levels, which in turn will produce more insulin and can increase endurance and weight gain.
However, foods rich in soluble fiber (think black beans, broccoli, oatmeal, avocado) are recommended, as they can improve glycemic control and decrease hyperinsulinemia. Fiber also keeps you full longer (meaning you’re less likely to break into the pantry regularly).
Add more exercise
Regular exercise will help you lose weight as you are burning additional calories, plus it improves insulin sensitivity and lowers blood sugar levels.
Set a weekly goal for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity (think about walking, biking, swimming). And on two or more days a week, try to include strength training activities that work on all of your major muscle groups.
Ask your doctor about medications
There are some medications that treat type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and obesity, such as metformin. Make an appointment with your doctor to explore your options.
Consider bariatric surgery
Bariatric surgery, such as gastric bypass or gastric sleeve, may be an option for people with type 2 diabetes who have a BMI of 35 or higher and have been unable to lose weight with other methods.
An article, published in the June 2014 issue of The International Journal of Clinical Practice, reported that surgery, compared to conventional treatment, results in better blood sugar control , and many patients even go into remission.
Bariatric surgery has been effective in weight loss and glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes. However, with any surgery come potential complications and risks. People can still gain weight after bariatric surgery, so it’s important to remember that it involves a lifelong commitment to life-style change.
