Diabesity Huh?

Diabesity has become the new buzz word among doctors in the media to classify what they feel is a current weight epidemic on the national stage. Coined in 1995, diabesity is a term that combines diabetes and obesity. Diabesity is defined as when a person’s condition of obesity puts them on a direct path for diabetes.

Some see the reemergence of the term diabesity as a scare tactic to get people in shape. Though there are correlations between obesity and Type 2 diabetes, being thin doesn't automatically mean you have no chance of getting the sometimes fatal disease. There are many factors that lead to a person developing diabetes.

The number one predetermining factor for Type 2 diabetes is genetics. A family history of
the disease is cause for concern. It has been proven that people who have a family history
of this illness, have greater chances of becoming afflicted with it themselves. Not exercising regularly is another risk factor. Your body works better when it is in shape. People with low HDL cholesterol or high blood pressure also have a higher chance of being affected by Type 2.

Lastly, ethnicity plays a major role in predicting odds of having diabetes. Some ethnic groups have a higher likelihood of getting diabetes than others. African-Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islander Americans all have a greater risk of being affected by diabetes than other ethnic groups. Though many have accredited this occurrence to the daily diets of these ethnic groups, researchers in the field say yes and nor. These researchers believe that these ethic groups inherited a “thrifty gene” for a “feast or fast” lifestyle. Through evolution, their bodies stored food energy during the seasons when food was plentiful in order to survive in the winter when food was scarcer. This same gene is now causing issues since food is plentiful year-round for these groups

Though there are many risk factors for diabetes, there are just as many ways to prevent it.
• Get the Right Tests: Doctors are able to assist patients in determining if they’re at risk
for the disease and give medical methods of prevention.
• Nutrition: Eating the right foods, which have a low glycemic index are a great way to
boost the metabolism while keeping your blood sugar normalized. Supplements can
also be suggested by the doctor.
• Exercise: It is recommended that every person get a minimum 50 minutes of moderate
exercise a day at least 3 days a week. Moderate exercises include brisk walking,
mowing the lawn and housework.
• Stress: Relax. High stress has been linked to diabetes.

For more information about ways to prevent and predictors for diabetes, sit do and talk with the doctor. Let’s put an end to this epidemic, not matter what it’s called.