Sweets and Fat- Don’t Eat That!

BRIANA THAI
Staff Writer

Nearly 66 percent of American adults are obese and 8.3 percent have diabetes. Despite the attention of health professionals, the media, the public and mass educational campaigns, obesity is still common in the U.S., doubling over the past four decades.

According to the International Diabetes Foundation, of all the people diagnosed with Type II diabetes, about 80 to 90 percent of them are also diagnosed with obesity. Understanding some of the causes of the disease will allow us to prevent it in the future.

Being overweight places extra stress on a person, which hinders the body’s ability to preserve proper blood glucose levels. Being overweight can cause the body to become immune to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that lowers the level of glucose (a type of sugar) in the blood. Those with diabetes need to take extra insulin to get sugar into their cells.

However, do not lose hope! Obesity and Type II diabetes are 100% preventable. Individuals should aim for a healthy, balanced and varied diet. In addition, the right amount of physical activity per day is crucial as well. Limiting the amount of inactivity is important to prevention. Finally, encouraging a healthy and active household not only helps you, but it can also help your family.