DIABETES & OBESITY

DIABETES & OBESITY

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes in which there is resistance to the action of insulin and later on decreased insulin release from the pancreas. The most common cause of insulin resistance is obesity.

The most common cause of insulin resistance is obesity. Therefore, diabetes management is incomplete without weight control –

Management is incomplete without weight management. interventions to be taken by the people SETTING THE GOALS; The goals should be reasonable, achievable and practical, Weight loss of at least 2-3kg per month is desirable in most of the obese individuals. And remember it is not absolute weight loss but a decrease in waist circumference and body mass index which are more important.

MOTIVATION: Some individual are not able to lose weight despite sincere efforts for initial few months. Therefore continuous motivation from family members and friends is important.

DIETARY THEREAPY: A low calorie diet – with a deficit of 500 to 1000 calories/day depending on the initial body depending on the initial body weight – is recommended. The dietary counseling should be done by a dietician trained in Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT).

Crash dieting or internet-based diet plans should be avoided as this might lead to deficiency of certain nutrients essential for the body.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: 30 – 45 minutes of brisk walk per day for at least five days a week is recommended. For busy executives it is better to indulge in lifestyle modification like taking stairs instead of lift. Also one may park the car away from the office and walk to the destination. If one has a sitting job getting up every half an hour from desk to reach for water, etc. will be helpful.

BEHABVIOUR MODIFICATIONS: This is a useful adjunct when incorporated into treatment for weight loss and weight maintenance. Avoid watching television or reading books while eating food, eat a fruit or salad before going to a party. Snack on vegetables and fruit if you must.

Weight loss surgery is an option for carefully selected patients with clinically morbid obesity and when conservative methods of weight loss have failed and the patient is at high risk for obesity – associated illness of death