Obesity & Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes.

If you are obese, and have type 2

diabetes, you are not alone.

In recent years, rates of obesity

and type 2 diabetes have increased at a very

fast pace.

So many people are now affected by type 2

diabetes and obesity, that health experts

consider them epidemics.

In this video tape, we will look at what

type 2 diabetes is, explore the connection

between body weight and type 2 diabetes,

and discover ways to use changes in food

intake and physical activity to lose

weight and control or prevent diabetes.

Diabetes means having blood sugar levels

that are too high.

When we eat food, particularly high

carbohydrate foods like grains,

fruits, vegetables, milk, sweets,

and snack foods;

much of it gets turned into

a sugar called glucose

that is released into the blood stream.

Normally, with the help of insulin,

a horomone made by the pancreas;

this sugar is moved from the blood stream

into the body's cells,

where it can be used for energy.

If the pancreas does not make enough insulin,

or the body doesnt respond well to the insulin

it has, sugar builds up in the blood stream.

When these sugar levels reach a certain level,

one is said to have type 2 diabetes.

Over time, high blood sugar can damage

organs,

nerves,

and blood vessels.

Having type 2 diabetes increases the chances

of having other serious health problems,

like a heart attack or stroke.

Kidney disease, blindness, and amputations.

In some people blood sugar levels

are higher than normal,

but not high enough to be considered

true diabetes.

This condition is called "Pre-diabetes".

Many people with pre-diabetes

go on to develop full blown

type 2 diabetes within a few years.

But losing weight and increasing

physical activity can stop

pre-diabetes from turning into

diabetes.