It is estimated that 60-90% of individuals who have type 2 diabetes are obese and it is the main factor driving the worldwide epidemic of the disease. However, not all individuals with type 2 diabetes are obese, and furthermore, most obese individuals will not develop type 2 diabetes.
The link between obesity prevalence and rates of diabetes in different populations was demonstrated with an increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes as the population becomes more obese.
Data from United States from the Health Professionals’ Follow-up Study in men and the Nurses’ Study in women shows the increasing risk of diabetes that obesity brings.
There are three major defects are found in type 2 diabetes: impaired insulin secretion; diminished insulin action in skeletal muscle, liver and adipose tissue; and excessive hepatic glucose production, secondary to hepatic insulin resistance.
Of these abnormalities insulin resistance is a characteristic feature that is commonly seen in both type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Diabetes and obesity
