Reports Reveal Diabesity Is Set To Become New Epidemic

America has a health crisis unlike any that it has ever faced.

This article was originally published by Insider Paper.

Over the last several years, the amount of Americans struggling with obesity has continued to rise.

Despite nationwide efforts, over 100 million US adults are still obese. This has led health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to state that the country is facing an obesity epidemic. Unfortunately, it seems concerns regarding the seriousness of severe excess weight are only getting worse as instances of diabesity are on the rise.

As its name implies, diabesity refers to the link between obesity and diabetes, with one fueling the other. According to a recent report from the Journal of the American Heart Association, up to 53% of all new diabetes cases per year are directly attributed to obesity. This comes following trend analyses that reveal that obesity has been a major driver of diabetes over the last twenty years. Understandably, this has sparked well-founded worries that diabesity will soon become the latest epidemic to spread across the US.

How obesity and diabetes are linked

It should be noted that not every patient who experiences either diabetes or obesity will automatically develop the other. However, patients with either disease have a much higher risk of then being diagnosed with the other. This is because both obesity and diabetes impact the body’s blood sugar. In the case of diabetes, this causes the body to store sugar as fat, thereby leading to weight gain. Meanwhile, obesity creates insulin resistance, which makes it harder for the body to regulate blood sugar levels.

Moreover, studies have found that both diabetes and obesity can worsen each other. As such, patients who have diabesity face a much more complicated treatment journey that has to account for the specific sensitivities and demands of each disease. Because of how severely diabesity can impact a body’s immunity and mobility, it can also trigger the onset of even more chronic ailments like heart disease or depressive ideation. All in all, this has led expert diabesity researchers to determine that those afflicted with the condition face a far greater risk of premature death and poor quality of life. Sadly, due to a growing dependence on processed foods, dips in physical activity, and inaccessibility of most preventative healthcare, diabesity is on the uptick with no signs of slowing down. To date, Johns Hopkins reveals that more than 60% of all diabetics now also fall under the obese weight category.

Contemporary diabesity solutions

In light of the above, healthcare providers have begun offering more tailored initiatives that target diabetes and obesity. One such option that’s becoming more in demand is a diabetic weight loss program. Through a membership, patients can access customized diet plans that are specifically designed to target weight loss and lower A1C results without sacrificing satisfaction or nutrition. Built upon the guidelines set by the International Diabetes Federation and the American Diabetes Association, such a program can even be tweaked to accommodate personal changes in a patient’s medical plan or lifestyle. This includes if a patient has been prescribed semaglutide for weight loss and diabetes management. Amid price hikes and supply shortages, millions of Americans rely on these drugs to help stabilize their weight and diabetes. On average, six months on the program can result in about 5.7% weight loss, a .75 reduction in HbA1c, and almost 10% less diabetes-related stress. Since these programs are created to teach sustainable and realistic healthy habits, they also ensure that diabesity patients can consistently manage their conditions.

Another holistic diabesity solution that patients are recommended to pursue is a diabetes exercise plan. Often, those with diabesity are too intimidated by the prospect of working out because both obesity and diabetes can make any considerable exertions feel more strenuous. Excessive movements can even cause hypoglycemia, which can lead to dizziness, extreme fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. That said, so long as the workout is personalized with diabesity in mind, its pros outweigh any potential cons. As such, most specialized workout plans focus on a moderate mix of aerobic and strength exercises. Because these can help maintain a good heart rate and metabolism even at rest, they offer longer-lasting effects. For most patients, at least 150 minutes of aerobics and two to three days of strength training per week are ideal in order to decrease body weight, high blood pressure, and blood sugar spikes.