Obesity-diabetes link tackled in DiabetEASE

In the last two decades, obesity rates have dramatically increased in developing countries, bringing along with it an upsurge in the prevalence of diabetes. Experts estimate that around 90 percent of people with diabetes have too much body fat, prompting some of them to coin the term “diabesity” to highlight the intimate connection between diabetes and obesity.

The August-September 2008 issue of DiabetEASE, a magazine dedicated solely to the topic of diabetes, centers on the problems that being obese and overweight can bring to a person. Not only does being overweight or obese affect one’s self-confidence, it can gravely affect one’s health.

For those with diabetes, being overweight or obese could worsen their condition and put them at risk of developing diabetes complications such as heart diseases, nerve problems, kidney diseases and stroke.

For this issue, experts in diabetes, obesity and weight loss tackle issues that include weight loss medications and how it can affect diabetes, the safety and effectiveness of herbal weight loss supplements, nutrition tips for weight loss, and an update on the metabolic syndrome — a group of risk factors that increases a person’s chance for heart disease and other health problems such as diabetes and stroke. 

The magazine also offers a variety of ways on how to lose weight, including tips on how to overcome the psychological challenges of losing weight, effective exercises for weight loss, a comparison of low carbohydrate and low-fat diets, plus four healthy salad recipes for both weight watchers and diabetes patients.

The Philippines’ own Pilates guru, Plinky Recto, graces this month’s cover and shares her passion for Pilates and how it can help relieve stress and help one achieve a leaner body and stronger muscles.