For years now, there has been an ever expanding pool of evidence showing the relationship between obesity and diabetes. Obesity does not cause diabetes. But if you are overweight and have a genetic propensity towards the disease, obesity can trigger it. Otherwise, even if you are overweight, you may never develop the disease.

Over the years, researchers have become very adept at identifying those at most risk for developing diabetes. Gene and DNA research has shown doctors what signs to look for. Researchers are now experimenting with the possibility of using vaccines to protect those prone to developing diabetes from actually developing the disease. As of now, however, researchers are only in the testing phase. Researchers are also looking at gene therapy, a process where they would actually modify a person’s gene so that he or she is no longer at risk.

Until researchers have figured out how these genes interact with the weight of an individual to trigger diabetes, however, it’s probably prudent for people concerned about diabetes to monitor their weight. So what does it mean to be overweight?

Figuring out if someone is overweight is a function of correlating their height with their weight and determining if their weight is over the healthy weight standard established by health experts. The way this is measured is by something called the body mass index ( or BMI). BMI is not the most accurate way of determining if someone is overweight. It is, however, one of the most popular - and quick.

BMI is determined simply by dividing the person’s weight (in pounds) multiplied by 705 by the square of her height (in inches). For example, if your height is 5 feet 6 inches and you weigh 130 pounds, the formula would be (130 x 705) / (66 x 66). But the easiest way is to simply consult one of the many BMI charts that you’ll find around. So what does the BMI consider as being overweight? If your BMI is over 25, you are considered to be overweight. And if you are overweight, and haven’t done so already, when you have your next physical you should make a point of having your doctor test your glucose tolerance.

The odds of you getting diabetes is definitely impacted by genetics and by whether any close relatives of yours has diabetes. This becomes especially evident by the studies of identical twins which show that if one twin has diabetes, it’s almost certain that the other twin has diabetes or will soon develop diabetes as well.

Diabetes doesn’t just happen all at once. It’s a slow developing disease. Before a person ever develops diabetes, he or she will go through a stage where they have what is called “impaired glucose tolerance.” This means that even though the person’s body is producing enough insulin to process glucose in the blood, it’s becoming ever more difficult. At this point, the impaired glucose tolerance is a warning sign. But the more risk factors the person has, the greater the likelihood is that the person will eventually get diabetes.

Diabetes affects almost 8% of the entire population of the US with a cost of more than $150 billion in lost worker productivity. The disease is said to occur when there is an anomaly in the body which prevents the body from producing insulin, a hormone charged with breaking down glucose in the blood. This then causes the blood sugar to rise to lethal levels. Treatment of diabetes involves regular self-injected doses of insulin.

Research reveals shocking finds

There has been a lot of research into the causes and remedies of diabetes. Of particular interest is whether certain lifestyles promote diabetes. One of the them is obesity. Does being overweight promote diabetes? This is a question that has sparked a lot of debate and also significant amount of research.

While the exact causes of diabetes have not been conclusively known, doctors and medical researchers are in agreement that obesity does not help if one is suffering from diabetes. Some doctors even seem to think that it accelerates diabetes.

For starters, researchers have discovered a correlation between gene mutation and obesity. This gene mutation affects the way the body processes insulin. It therefore goes without saying that the more obese one is, the higher the likelihood to succumb to diabetes.

Children are also at risk

It has also been unearthed by research, that children who are obese are twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, a fact that has sent many parents scrambling to ensure their children cut down on fatty foods. DNA researchers are also trying to trace the link between obesity and diabetes in children under 12 but the studies are still ongoing.

Making smart dietary and exercise choices

All in all, this sobering information. It means that at the onset, parents have to monitor their children’s diet rigorously to ensure that they are not at risk of developing diabetes. This may involve keeping a close watch f when they snack, what they snack on and what calories they are ingesting.

At-risk persons should also get into an exercise regimen. This need not be complicated. One need not even enroll in any gym class. A simple walk around the neighborhood or a morning swim can do just fine. There are also many gymnasiums which offer personalized training programs that can help you cut down on weight faster.

Whenever one goes grocery shopping, they should also shop smart. One of the ways to do this is to read the label on the food. Monitoring calories, cholesterol and fats is recommended.

When you are living with a diabetic, you should be aware of the symptoms when he is either going into a hypoglycemic shock or a hyperglycemic shock. They actually do not enter the state per se but rather appear to be nearing it so it should be prevented. A person is going into the state of hypoglycemia if altered visions are present leading to nausea and even minor dementia. Rush to the nearest hospital for first aid treatment or you could give doses of sugar content like sodas and concentrated orange juices. Such episodes are one of the concerns in Diabetes Treatment.

It is also very important that these diabetics have a strict schedule on when they should take their meals. It should not be placed very far apart from the last meal since sugar levels have a tendency to plunge down very fast. It would be advisable to have frequent but small amounts of food intake that is why a GlucoMeter that tests and records blood sugar levels is important. Keep in mind that tests should be only taken after 4 hours of no food intake, the results would be either too low or too high. This equipment is beneficial in Diabetes Treatment.

There are instances when Diabetes can be passed on through Heredity. It would be best that even at a young age; the children are informed and guided to not taking too many sweet products because in the near future, they might as well be like their parents or grandparents who need insulin and different kinds of medications just to get through the day. Consistency is also key especially when loosing weight. Obesity and Diabetes is often related that is why diabetics get medications for anti-obesity and a close watch for other problems like high blood pressure. This is why the Diabetes Treatment for both Type I and Type II Diabetes require patients to eat at the same time every day to not change any pattern in their metabolism.

A brighter future is in store for the younger generation since more solutions are being developed for them.