Type 2 Diabetes Risk Increased by being Overweight

Thu, 15 Sep 2011
The risk of type 2 diabetes is increased by the excess weight an individual carries.

The risk of this kind of diabetes is increased the longer the period of time the weight has been carried.

University of Michigan researchers analysed data from 8,000 teenagers, calculating how much more than a specific body mass index (BMI) they had and for what period of time.

The results showed that individuals with a BMI of 25 or over, that is, those thought to be overweight, for a longer length of time were more prone to developing diabetes.

The researchers found that the link between excess weight and type 2 diabetes is akin to the relationship between smoking and the likelihood of developing lung cancer .

The amount of excess weight carried and the number of years you carry it drastically increase your susceptibility to developing diabetes.

With Western and other populations getting fatter, it is alarming that younger generations are getting heavier earlier in life and carrying that extra weight for greater periods of time.

It is vital that health education programmes focus on obesity prevention, targeted at teenagers and young adults.

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