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.