Shedding light on weight loss struggles among diabetics

Diabetes is acknowledged globally as a growing epidemic with profound impacts on developing countries.¹ India is not behind, the diabetic cases here are also taking a leap year-on-year. The International Diabetes Federation projects that one in eight adults, approximately 783 million, will be living with diabetes, an increase of 46% by 2045. The ICMR- INDIAB data published in 2023 says India grapples with a staggering 101 million individuals afflicted by diabetes.²

Elevated blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, and an excess of cholesterol and fats in the blood pose significant risks for cardiovascular disease.³ When combined with excess weight, the risk of complications increases, as the excess weight places additional strain on the body. Preventing and managing diabetes and its complications present significant challenges in India. These include barriers such as the absence of a comprehensive approach, limited surveillance data, and inadequate awareness about diabetes and its risks. Hence, prioritising effective health promotion and primary prevention measures, both at the individual and population levels, is crucial to combating the diabetes epidemic and minimising diabetes-related complications in India.^4,5

Common hindrances:
Diabetes can make it hard to manage weight. When you have type 2 diabetes, your body struggles to use insulin properly, causing sugar levels in your blood to rise. To cope, your body produces more insulin, which leads to storing extra sugar as fat, making it tough to lose weight. This vicious cycle of insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and weight gain exacerbates the challenges of weight loss.^6,7 However, our true challenge lies elsewhere. Although diabetes presents hurdles to weight loss, overcoming them is not impossible, reaching a healthy weight within a favourable range of BMI is achievable. In a study conducted on people with diabetes mellitus among urban and rural population a conclusion statement showcased that considerable number of diabetes patients lacked sufficient knowledge and awareness regarding the condition.⁸

The required change:
Encouragingly, shedding excess weight can diminish the risk of heart disease in individuals with diabetes and decrease the necessity for medications or doses to manage diabetes effectively.⁹ Even modest weight loss, around 5% body weight, can significantly enhance health outcomes and overall well-being.¹⁰ Lifestyle changes plays a vital role in weight management during diabetes. Essentially, meal plans for individuals with type 2 diabetes should reflect their current eating habits and consider the adjustments they’re ready to make to better manage blood sugar and other metabolic factors. Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels before and after meals is essential to assess the effects of lifestyle changes. Besides this, nutrition therapy should emphasize adopting a healthy eating routine, paying attention to portion sizes and calorie intake, engaging in regular physical activity, and providing education and support to enhance metabolic health. ¹⁰

What will help you in having healthy weight loss even with diabetes:
Healthy lifestyle practices, relevant fitness goals and realistic approach have favoured every healthcare situation, and it has the potential to help in managing weight with diabetes. Adopting a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains while monitoring carbohydrate intake gets you closer to your desired weight. Incorporating regular exercise, aiming for moderate intensity, to burn calories and improve insulin sensitivity are great contributors. Working closely with healthcare professionals to optimize blood sugar and weight management has its potential benefits.

Newer possibilities:
A new era of possibilities has been witnessed in diabetes management and its related complications. These innovative approaches offer promising avenues for tackling the dual challenges of diabetes and excess weight. Ongoing research and development endeavours aim to refine existing therapies, explore novel treatment modalities, and enhance access to comprehensive care for individuals struggling with diabetes management.

References:

1. Pradeepa R, et al. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2021 Nov;69(11):2932-2938.
2. Anjana RM et al; Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2023 Jul;11(7):474-489.
3. Fuchs FD, et al. Hypertension. 2020 Feb;75(2):285-292.
4. Leon BM, et al. World J Diabetes. 2015 Oct 10;6(13):1246-58.
5. Wangnoo SK et al. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2013 Jul;17(4):594-601.
6. Bays HE, et al. Obes Pillars. 2023 Jun 13;7:100076.
7. Ruze R, et al. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Apr 21;14:1161521.
8. Kumar DL, et al. Cureus. 2023 Apr 30;15(4):e38359.
9. Raghavan S, et al. J Am Heart Assoc. 2019;8(4).
10. Standards of Care in Diabetes—2024. Diabetes Care 1 January 2024; 47

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