What is Obesity?
Obesity is when the body mass index (BMI) exceeds 30. When the BMI exceeds 40, it is defined as morbid obesity, which is at a disease level. There are 1.9 billion overweight people, 650 million obese people, and nearly 400 million people with diabetes in the world. In Turkey, there are nearly 13 million people with diabetes.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is the uncontrolled rise in blood sugar levels, and its main cause is genetic or familial predisposition. However, considering that 80% of diabetes patients are obese individuals, increased body weight can also be considered a trigger for diabetes.
The Relationship Between Obesity and Diabetes
The coexistence of diabetes and obesity negatively affects the majority of body functions. Diabetes primarily causes heart attacks in individuals, and over time, it can lead to kidney failure, blindness, non-healing wounds on the feet leading to amputation, and paralysis due to nerve damage. However, diabetes and obesity are preventable conditions. The reason for the onset of obesity is excessive eating behavior. Regulating one’s lifestyle with personalized diet programs and psychotherapy sessions can significantly prevent the onset of these diseases.
What Should We Do to Prevent Obesity and Diabetes?
To stay healthy, you should regularly monitor your body mass index and blood sugar levels. You should also remember that eating disorders like obesity are related to your mental health and should not hesitate to seek psychological support when needed.
- Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Eyyüp Taşdemir
