Being overweight or obese can increase your chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is a medical condition that requires regular monitoring of your blood sugar levels. With type 2 diabetes, your body is unable to properly produce or use insulin, which is produced by the pancreas to help move sugar into your cells. Essenetially, your body will become resistant to insulin, which results in high blood sugar. There is research-based evidence, that shows that fat cells are more resistant to insulin as opposed to muscle cells.

Fat distribution also plays a role in whether an individual will be affected by diabetes. People who have more weight in their stomach are more likely to be affected by diabetes as opposed to those who carry more weight in their hips/waist.

What Are The Risks?

High blood sugar carries many risks. Your cells are unable to get the sugar they need, which causes damage to the nerves and blood vessels, in areas such as the heart, eyes, and kidneys. Other complications include:

  • Higher risk of heart and stroke
  • Nerve damage
  • Depression
  • Blindness

How Do I Know If I Am Overweight?

There are many forms of weight measurement to evaluate your weight; however, the most common method is to calculate your BMI (body mass index). To calculate BMI, you take your weight in kilograms and divide it by your height in meters squared.What you eat will affect the probability of you developing type 2 diabetes. If you are overweight (BMI 25-29.90), your risk of developing type 2 diabetes is significantly higher.

It is important to note that it is not only excess weight that puts you at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Other factors include, but are not limited to, are:

  • Unhealthy eating habits
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Your family history/genetics

Signs That You May Have Type 2 Diabetes

  • Recurrent urination
  • Frequent infections
  • Increased thirst
  • Blurred vision

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should visit your family physician.

What To Expect At Your Appointment

At your appointment with your healthcare professional, they may ask you:

  • How physically active are you on a regular basis?
  • Have you had blood work completed recently?
  • Are you experiencing blurred vision or headaches?

Questions you may ask your healthcare provider:

  • Does your office have a registered dietitian?
  • Am I at risk for other complications associated with type 2 diabetes?
  • What tests will you administer to determine whether I have diabetes?

Tests for diabetes may include: a fasting blood sugar test, oral sugar tolerance test, or a random blood sugar test.

If you or someone you know may be at risk for type 2 diabetes, visit us at Vital RX Pharmacy. We offer both pharmacy services (diabetes supplies, diabetes counselling), as well as health resources (nutrition resources). You are not alone, and we are here to help you create a healthier life.