WORLD DIABETES DAY 2004: DIABETES AND OBESITY
FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
1.What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease that has no cure. It is a leading cause of death in Canada.There are three types of
diabetes:
➛ Type 1 diabetes, usually diagnosed in children and adolescents, occurs when the pancreas is unable to
produce insulin.The body needs insulin to process the glucose (sugar) from foods for use as energy by
the body’s cells. Approximately 10 per cent of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.
➛ Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body does not
effectively use the insulin that is produced.Type 2 diabetes usually develops in adulthood, although
increasing numbers of children in high risk populations are being diagnosed. Approximately 90 per
cent of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.
➛ Gestational diabetes is a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy. It affects approximately
3.5 per cent of all pregnancies and involves an increased risk of developing diabetes for both mother
and child.
2.What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Too often type 2 diabetes goes undiagnosed. Recent studies show that finding and treating diabetes symptoms
early can cut the chance of getting diabetes complications. It is important to recognize, however, that many
people who have type 2 diabetes may display no symptoms.
People may notice some or all of the following signs before being diagnosed:
➛ Unusual thirst ➛ Frequent urination
➛ Excessive thirst ➛ Weight change (gain or loss)
➛ Extreme fatigue or lack of energy ➛ Blurred vision
➛ Frequent or recurring infections ➛ Cuts and bruises that are slow to heal
➛ Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet ➛ Trouble getting or maintaining an erection
3.What are the risk factors for type 2 diabetes?
Risk factors for developing diabetes include the following:
Being:
➛ Age 40 and over
➛ A member of a high-risk ethnic group (Aboriginal, Hispanic, Asian, South Asian or African descent)
➛ Overweight (especially if you carry most of your weight around your middle)
Having: Having been diagnosed with:
➛ A parent, brother or sister with diabetes ➛ Polycystic ovary syndrome
➛ Health complications that are associated ➛ Acanthosis nigricans (darkened patches of skin)
with diabetes ➛ Schizophrenia
➛ Given birth to a baby that weighed more than 4 kg
(9lb) at birth
Having:
➛ Had gestational diabetes ➛ High blood pressure
➛ Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) or impaired ➛ High cholesterol or other fats in the blood
fasting glucose
4. Can diabetes develop as a result of eating too many foods high in sugar?
Diabetes is caused either by an insulin deficiency or by insulin ineffectiveness. Being overweight, eating poorly
and living a sedentary lifestyle increase the risks of developing type 2 diabetes.
5. Can diabetes be prevented?
Scientists believe that lifestyle and type 2 diabetes are closely linked.This means people can focus on lifestyle
to help prevent or delay the onset of the condition. A healthy meal plan, weight management, physical activity
and stress reduction are important prevention steps. Currently there are no proven ways to prevent type 1
diabetes.
6. Are all overweight or obese people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes?
Not all of those who are overweight or obese will develop diabetes, and not all of those with type 2 diabetes
are obese.The likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes when overweight or obese depends on the interaction
of a number of factors:
➛ The extent of the overweight or obesity – the greater this is, the greater the risk.
➛ Carrying extra weight around the middle. Being ‘apple-shaped’ and carrying excess abdominal weight
increases the risk.
➛ The individual’s genetic predisposition to developing insulin resistance when overweight or obese.
➛ The individual’s capacity for producing more insulin to compensate for the body’s growing resistance
to the actions of insulin (which develops due to being overweight or obese).
7. Do small amounts of weight loss make a difference to people with diabetes?
Even moderate weight loss can be beneficial to one’s health. Losing one kilogram a year has been shown to
increase life expectancy by three to four months. 1
8.What are the main modifiable risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes?
Lack of physical activity and poor eating habits are the main modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
9. Should people with diabetes exercise if they have complications such as kidney
problems?
Special precautions may need to be taken, but exercise can be beneficial for almost everyone. Even 10 minutes
of exercise three times a day is beneficial.
10. How is diabetes treated?
More than ever before, people with diabetes can expect to live active, independent and vital lives by making a
lifelong commitment to careful diabetes management.
Canadian Diabetes Association - Obesity FAQ (November 2004) 2
Diabetes is managed in the following ways:
Education: Diabetes education is an important first step. All people with diabetes need to learn about their
condition in order to make healthy lifestyle choices and manage their diabetes.
Physical Activity: Regular physical activity helps your body lower blood glucose levels, promotes weight
loss, reduces stress and enhances overall fitness.
Nutrition: What, when and how much you eat all play an important role in regulating how well your body
manages blood glucose levels.
Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight is especially important in the management of diabetes.
Medication: Type 1 diabetes is always treated with insulin.Type 2 diabetes is managed through physical
activity and meal planning and may require medications and/or insulin to assist your body in making or using
insulin more effectively.
Lifestyle Management: Learning to reduce stress levels in day-to-day life can help people with diabetes
better manage their disease.
Blood Pressure: High blood pressure can lead to other complications such as eye disease, heart disease,
stroke and kidney disease, so people with diabetes should try to maintain a blood pressure at or below
130/80.To do this, you may need to change your eating and physical activity habits and/or take medication.
11. Why do people with type 2 diabetes have a tougher time losing weight compared
to overweight or obese people without diabetes?
There is no clear explanation why people with type 2 diabetes have greater difficulty losing weight than peo-
ple without the condition. One possible explanation is that, until recently, the focus of treatment has been
much more directed towards getting blood glucose levels in good control, and less on the issue of reducing
excess weight. Fortunately, small amounts of weight lose (5-10 percent of body weight) has proven sufficient
to help improve blood glucose levels. 2
12. Are high protein/low carbohydrate diets good for people with diabetes who are
looking to lose weight?
These diets may result in rapid weight loss in the short term, but can be harmful to the body as they overwork
the kidneys and are known to cause constipation and headaches. A healthy way to lose weight is to follow a
reduced-calorie diet that is well-balanced between carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Becoming physically active
will also help in maintaining weight loss over the longer term.
13.Can exercise lead to a decreased need for medication?
People with type 2 diabetes may experience lower blood sugar levels when exercising regularly, and as a
result, may be able to decrease the amount of medication.
Sources:
1. Diabetes and Obesity:Time to Act, International Diabetes Federation, 2004, p. 28.
2. Diabetes and Obesity:Time to Act, International Diabetes Federation, 2004, p. 29.
Canadian Diabetes Association - Obesity FAQ (November 2004) 3