Type 2 Diabetes: The Sweet Tooth

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the prevalence of diabetes has been affecting millions of people worldwide and the number of people suffering this condition has been constantly increasing every single year. Well, why does a person develop diabetes type 2 in the first place? And how do we check to see if we have it? Also, how can we prevent it?

Table of Contents

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 Diabetes is a metabolic condition where your body is unable to process the insulin correctly and the glucose accumulates in your blood stream instead of being used up by the cells to fuel and energize your body. The most definitive way to determine diabetes is through a laboratory test called Hemoglobin A1C (HBA1C) and it can measure the average blood sugar level in your body within the past two to three month period. This does not require an overnight fasting, rather an individual needs to have a blood sample drawn in a laboratory and a result of 6.5% or higher is usually an indicative of poor blood sugar control which is highly suggesting that your body might not be able to regulate your blood sugar effectively.

Moreover, there are numerous risk factors that can be attributed why the number of individuals affected by this disease continues to grow every year.

Obesity and Insulin Resistance

One of the most leading and primary causes of type 2 diabetes is obesity. Being overweight or obese can lead to multiple other diseases. Obesity is due to the accumulation of excessive fat in the body resulting to increased insulin resistance. There is a direct relationship with obesity and diabetes, remember that as your weight increases, the more you are susceptible to become a diabetic.

The Sedentary Lifestyle

In addition, with the advent of technology many people are practicing a sedentary lifestyle. The lack of movement and inactivity these days are increasingly becoming the norm. For instance, the business process outsourcing industry and call center jobs have risen tremendously these recent times over the past years. Even children and younger generation seem to be affected by the development of technology. Playing online games, watching tv, or endless scrolling in social media instead of being outdoors connecting with friends or playmates increases the time sitting and being sedentary. Thus, little movement also decreases the use of insulin and instead of burning fat, our body stores up more fat due to less active lifestyle.

Processed Foods and Poor Nutrition

Lastly, many people like to consume highly processed instant foods and the ability to order foods online have also become a trend. While many adults are becoming exhausted after work, ordering take out and eating instant meals have been prevalent. Rather than cooking and preparing healthy meals, people often consume high calorie, low nutrient foods. Furthermore, many people also prefer to eat sweets and foods high in sugar like cakes, pasta, desserts and chocolates. Consuming large amounts of these foods will wreak havoc on an individual’s health and in the long run will eventually lead to type 2 diabetes. Indeed, the market place is also making them greatly available in the grocery stores.

Prevention Through Healthy Choices

By making wise food choices, consuming more fruits and vegetables that are low in glycemic index, an individual is also decreasing if not totally eliminating the chance of becoming a diabetic. Maintaining a healthy diet is one of the most impactful steps a person can take toward prevention.

Complications of Unmanaged Type 2 Diabetes

In the end, there are numerous negative effects that a person might suffer due to type 2 diabetes such as stroke, kidney malfunction, visual loss, hearing impairment, and lower limb amputation due to insufficient blood flow to the extremities. On the contrary, there are also plenty of these contributing factors that can be done to decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes such as maintaining a healthy weight, prioritizing movement or exercise and consuming more nutrient dense whole foods which can bring great and positive outcomes in your health and overall well-being.

References

World Health Organization. (2024, November). Diabetes. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes
American Diabetes Association. Understanding Type 2 Diabetes. https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/type-2