Obesity defined
Obesity is a treatable disease and a worldwide health concern associated with having an excess amount of body fat. It is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors and can be challenging to manage through dieting alone. Healthcare providers often diagnose obesity based on a person’s body mass index (BMI), which is considered to be 30 or greater. It’s important to note that nearly 40 percent of Americans are affected by obesity. Diagnosing obesity and measuring body fat directly can be challenging, which is why body mass index (BMI) is often relied upon for insights. BMI measures the relationship between height and weight. It is essential to note that measuring BMI does not replace clinical judgment. To calculate BMI, one needs to divide their weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared, following the formula BMI = kg/m2. To determine your BMI, please see the BMI chart provided at the bottom of the page. Despite its widespread use in the healthcare community, BMI has its limitations. It does not directly measure body fat and fails to account for factors like muscle mass, bone mass or fat distribution. Additionally, the validity of some of the existing BMI cutoffs have been questioned, as they were not developed using diverse populations. Social determinants, race, ethnicity and age may influence the risk associated with a particular BMI. BMI is just one component of diagnosing obesity. It is important to consult with your healthcare provider to explore other methods of determining obesity. Please note: The body mass index is used to screen for obesity, but it does not displace clinical judgment. BMI is not a measure of body fat. Social determinants, race, ethnicity, and age may modify the risk associated with a given BMI. Please talk with your healthcare provider about understanding BMI.
Obesity is NOT
-
Your fault
-
Yours to manage alone
-
Just about food
-
Cured by a miracle treatment
Obesity is a Disease
Oh, you missed the memo too? Back in 1998, the National Institutes of Health declared obesity a disease. Then, a mere 15 years later in 2013, the American Medical Association finally caught up and recognized it as a chronic disease, not just a personal failing. Yet, despite these declarations, the outdated notion that obesity stems from a lack of willpower persists, even among some medical professionals. Millions have lost weight repeatedly, only to find maintaining it an elusive goal. Here’s the truth: Obesity is a complex, relapsing disease, deeply intertwined with biology, not a reflection of character. Let that sink in. Your struggles with weight loss aren’t personal failures. I am NOT just saying this. It's the truth. Our underlying problem isn't too many cookies. It is from a disease sporting a misfiring brain-gut communication system - driving cravings and bingeing. It’s a shared LIVED experience, and understanding this is the first step toward change. I promise. It's NOT your fault. ❤️ Never was - we just didn't know yet. I am so sorry. It's a lot to take in.
Insulin Resistance
Alright, let’s tackle insulin resistance—the stealthy saboteur disrupting your body’s sugar management system. Insulin Resistance: When Your Cells Give Insulin the Cold Shoulder Imagine insulin as the key to your cells’ sugar vaults. In an ideal scenario, insulin unlocks the door, allowing glucose to enter and fuel your body. However, with insulin resistance, your cells become uncooperative, ignoring insulin’s attempts to usher glucose in. The consequence? Sugar lingers in your bloodstream like an uninvited guest, prompting your pancreas to crank out more insulin in a frantic bid to restore balance. It’s akin to persistently knocking on a door that refuses to open. The Domino Effect: From Prediabetes to Type 2 Diabetes This relentless cycle can exhaust your pancreas, leading to prediabetes—where blood sugar levels are elevated but not yet in the diabetic range. Without intervention, this trajectory can propel you into Type 2 Diabetes territory, characterized by insufficient insulin production or ineffective insulin utilization, resulting in chronically high blood sugar levels. Other Players in the Diabetes Spectrum •Type 1 Diabetes: An autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Individuals with Type 1 require insulin injections to manage their blood sugar levels. •Gestational Diabetes: A temporary form of diabetes that arises during pregnancy due to hormonal changes causing insulin resistance. While it typically resolves after childbirth, it increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. Diagnosing the Silent Disruptor Insulin resistance often operates under the radar, presenting no clear symptoms until it escalates into prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes. Healthcare providers commonly use the A1c blood test to assess average blood sugar levels over the preceding three months: •Below 5.7%: Normal range. •5.7% to 6.4%: Prediabetes—an alert to take preventive measures. •6.5% or higher: Indicative of Type 2 diabetes. Who’s at Risk? Insulin resistance can affect anyone but is more prevalent among individuals with excess body fat, particularly around the abdomen, and those leading sedentary lifestyles. Factors such as family history, certain medications, and underlying health conditions can also predispose individuals to this metabolic disturbance. The Broader Implications: Metabolic Syndrome Unchecked insulin resistance can culminate in metabolic syndrome—a cluster of conditions including elevated blood sugar, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, and increased abdominal fat. This combination significantly heightens the risk of heart disease, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes. Taking Charge: Reversing Insulin Resistance The silver lining? Insulin resistance can often be reversed through proactive lifestyle modifications: •Adopt a Balanced Diet: Emphasize whole foods, lean proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates to stabilize blood sugar levels. •Engage in Regular Physical Activity: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week to enhance insulin sensitivity. •Achieve and Maintain a Healthy Weight: Even modest weight loss can significantly improve insulin responsiveness. •Prioritize Quality Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of restful sleep nightly to support metabolic health. •Manage Stress: Incorporate stress-reducing practices such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga into your routine. By implementing these strategies, you can disrupt the progression of insulin resistance, reclaim control over your metabolic health, and reduce the risk of developing more severe conditions. Insulin resistance—the stealthy saboteur of your body’s sugar management system—is more than just a metabolic hiccup; it’s a ticking time bomb with far-reaching consequences. The Domino Effect: From Prediabetes to Type 2 Diabetes When your cells start ignoring insulin’s attempts to usher glucose in, sugar lingers in your bloodstream like an uninvited guest. Your pancreas, in a frantic bid to restore order, pumps out more insulin. But this overdrive can’t last forever. Eventually, the system falters, leading to prediabetes—elevated blood sugar levels that haven’t yet crossed into diabetes territory. Left unchecked, this progression barrels toward Type 2 diabetes, where insulin’s effectiveness is severely compromised. The Cascading Consequences But the havoc doesn’t stop there. Unchecked insulin resistance sets off a chain reaction of health issues: •Elevated Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Your heart strains under increased pressure, elevating the risk of cardiovascular complications. •Dyslipidemia: An imbalance of blood lipids, characterized by high triglycerides and low HDL (“good”) cholesterol, paving the way for arterial plaque buildup. •Cardiovascular Disease: The combined assault of hypertension and dyslipidemia significantly raises the stakes for heart attacks and strokes. •Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): Fat accumulation in the liver, leading to inflammation and potential liver damage. •Certain Cancers: Increased risk of colon, breast, and endometrial cancers. •Alzheimer’s Disease: Emerging evidence suggests a link between insulin resistance and cognitive decline, potentially accelerating the onset of Alzheimer’s. Metabolic Syndrome: The Perfect Storm Insulin resistance is often the linchpin in metabolic syndrome—a cluster of conditions including abdominal obesity, high blood sugar, elevated blood pressure, and abnormal cholesterol levels. This toxic combination amplifies the risk of severe health outcomes, making early intervention crucial. Taking the Reins: Prevention and Management The good news? Insulin resistance isn’t an irreversible fate. Through proactive lifestyle changes—such as adopting a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight—you can enhance insulin sensitivity and disrupt this perilous trajectory. Partnering with healthcare professionals to monitor and manage your metabolic health can further fortify your defenses against these looming threats. In essence, confronting insulin resistance head-on isn’t just about regulating blood sugar—it’s about safeguarding your overall health and averting a cascade of potentially life-altering complications.
What is the difference between insulin resistance & diabetes?
Let’s cut through the medical mumbo jumbo and get real about insulin resistance, the sneaky saboteur messing with your body’s sugar game. Insulin Resistance: The Cellular Cold Shoulder Picture insulin as the key to your cells’ sugar vaults. In a perfect world, insulin unlocks the door, and glucose waltzes in to fuel your body. But when insulin resistance crashes the party, your cells play hard to get, ignoring insulin’s attempts to let glucose in. The result? Sugar loiters in your bloodstream like an unwanted guest, and your pancreas, bless its heart, works overtime pumping out more insulin to compensate. It’s like yelling at a locked door, hoping it’ll open. The Domino Effect: From Prediabetes to Type 2 Diabetes Keep this up, and your overworked pancreas might start waving the white flag. Enter prediabetes: your blood sugar’s higher than it should be but hasn’t hit the diabetes threshold yet. Ignore this warning, and you could be on the express train to Type 2 Diabetes Town, where your body either can’t produce enough insulin or the insulin it makes is about as effective as a screen door on a submarine. Other Diabetes Villains in the Lineup •Type 1 Diabetes: Here, your immune system goes rogue, attacking the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas for reasons still under investigation. People with Type 1 need to inject insulin to stay alive and kicking. •Gestational Diabetes: Pregnancy hormones sometimes throw a wrench in the insulin works, leading to temporary diabetes during pregnancy. It usually exits stage left after childbirth but can increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later on. Diagnosing the Silent Troublemaker Insulin resistance is a master of disguise, often showing no symptoms until it’s morphed into something more sinister like prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes. Doctors use the A1c blood test to get the scoop on your average blood sugar levels over the past three months: •Below 5.7%: You’re in the clear. •5.7% to 6.4%: Prediabetes alert—time to take action. •6.5% or higher: Welcome to the Type 2 diabetes club (membership not recommended). Who’s at Risk? Insulin resistance doesn’t discriminate—it can mess with anyone. But it’s more likely to target those carrying extra weight, especially around the belly, and folks who treat exercise like it’s a four-letter word. Family history, certain medications, and other health conditions can also roll out the welcome mat for this metabolic mischief-maker. The Bigger Picture: Metabolic Mayhem Left unchecked, insulin resistance can lead to metabolic syndrome—a dastardly collection of conditions including high blood sugar, elevated blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, and excess abdominal fat. This toxic combo significantly raises your risk of heart disease, stroke, and, of course, Type 2 diabetes. The Bottom Line Insulin resistance is more than just a minor glitch—it’s a full-blown metabolic mutiny. But with the right lifestyle changes and medical guidance, you can turn the tide and reclaim control over your health.
The Real Dangers
of Living With Untreated Obesity
