what is seen in people without diabetes. Specifically, fat in the pancreas fell from an average of 5.8% to 4.3% among people with diabetes, and the activity of the insulin-producing cells returned to normal.
It doesn’t take much extra fat to thwart the activity of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. “You only need an extra half gram of fat in the pancreas to prevent normal insulin production,” Taylor says.
“Regardless of body mass index [BMI], people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have more fat inside the body than they can cope with,” he notes. “There is a good chance of remission if they can lose around 10% of their starting weight.”
The link between obesity and diabetes
The relationship between obesity and diabetes is consistent and strong, says Dr. Scott Kahan, director of the National Center for Weight and Wellness, in Washington, D.C.
“Even exceedingly small amounts of weight gain or excess weight can increase the risk for type 2 diabetes significantly — even in people who are relatively thin,” Kahan notes.
The good news is that small weight losses, often on the order of just a few pounds, can improve blood sugar control and diabetes risk.
“This study further supports the importance of weight management for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes, and strongly suggests that weight management guidance, support and intervention will likely be valuable even in persons with only small amounts of excess weight,” according to Kahan.
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Living with diabetes: how to lose weight
Although losing weight is a clear way to prevent and manage diabetes, actually shedding the pounds isn’t always easy. If you are struggling to lose weight, the American Diabetes Association suggests starting with the following:
Emotions and eating
Emotions can influence what, when, and how much we eat. When you eat based on your emotions, it can hinder your weight loss efforts. Learn about the emotions that may trigger your desire for food.
Setting realistic goals
The right combination of exercise, healthy foods and portion control is the key to weight loss for many people. Learn how to set realistic goals for yourself.
Get in touch with your appetite
Factors in the environment trigger our senses and other mental processes that make us think we are hungry even when we’re not. Learn how to get in touch with your appetite today.