Doctors highlight links between weight and diabetes
Almost one third of Irish people think they are overweight, a new survey revealed today.
Figures published ahead of World Diabetes Day revealed 34% of women think they are carrying extra weight compared to just a quarter of men.
People aged between 50-64 years are also more likely to believe they are heavier than average.
The data, released by pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk, highlighted the link between body weight and diabetes, a condition which will be recognised worldwide next Saturday.
Professor John Nolan, consultant endocrinologist at St James’s Hospital, said four out of five people with diabetes are overweight.
“The number one risk factor for type 2 diabetes is obesity,” said Prof Nolan.
“Greater weight means a higher risk of insulin resistance, because fat interferes with the body’s ability to use insulin. If your insulin is not working correctly, you cannot regulate the sugar in your blood and this can develop into diabetes.”
The medic said while overweight people over the age of 40 are at risk of developing diabetes, even a small amount of weight loss can make a big difference.
“If people lose just 5-7% of their body weight, they reduce their risk of developing diabetes and for those people who have diabetes, weight loss can dramatically slow the progress of the disease,” Prof Nolan said.
The study found almost half of all people who believed they were overweight felt it affected their self-confidence, what they wore, and a third worried about where they socialised.
Medics said the situation for people with diabetes is more complex because the vast majority of treatments available to them actually cause patients to gain weight.
Prof Nolan said a new treatment available for type 2 diabetes – Victoza – which can also help people with diabetes lose weight while controlling their blood sugar levels.
“With Victoza, patients with type 2 diabetes have an important new option to control their blood sugar, and they may also have the added benefit of weight loss,” Prof Nolan added.
“This is a significant advance for patients with type 2 diabetes, many of whom are already overweight. Additionally, the once-daily formula, independent of meals, should improve patient compliance and in turn patient outcomes.”
Dr Anna Clarke, of the Diabetes Federation of Ireland, said the onset of type 2 diabetes is gradual and therefore hard to detect.
“Many people are not diagnosed for several years, by which time complications have already arisen,” said Dr Clarke.
“We would encourage people to ask their doctor about diabetes if they are concerned about their weight, particularly if they are over 40.”
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