Weight Management
Excess weight is an issue for many people living with type 2 diabetes. In addition to being a risk factor for developing the disease, being overweight or obese also promotes the insulin resistance that is the main mechanism behind type 2 diabetes. Too much body fat makes it harder for the body to use the insulin it makes to process blood glucose. In addition, because excess blood sugar is stored by the body as fat, uncontrolled diabetes can make weight problems worse.
What is Overweight?
Body mass index, or BMI, is a measurement that calculates weight in relationship to height and is considered a reliable indicator of body fat. For adults, BMI breakdowns are as follows:
BMI for children and young adults aged 2 to 20 is measured by a charting system known as BMI-for-age. BMI-for-age is expressed in terms of percentiles. A child with a BMI-for-age that is in the 95th percentile or higher is considered overweight. Those in the 85th to 94th percentile are considered “at risk” for being overweight. Your child’s pediatrician can help you interpret their weight, height, and BMI patterns.
The location of excess pounds also makes a difference. People who have an apple-shaped body (i.e., extra weight around the waist) are at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Effective Weight Management
The same things that are good for your diabetes – regular exercise and healthy dietary habits – are key to weight control. A registered dietitian, preferably one who is also a certified diabetes educator (or CDE) and is experienced in diabetes care, can help you develop a meal plan that’s customized to your particular needs.
For cases of obesity where conventional lifestyle changes have not helped reduce weight to a healthy level, medical treatment such as prescription weight loss drugs and gastric bypass may be an option. Your doctor can discuss the risks and benefits of these treatments and help you determine what’s right for you.
Reviewed by Susan Weiner, R.D., M.S., C.D.E., C.D.N. 3/08
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