Question

How does obesity increase the risk of diabetes?

Hint:

Managing weight through healthy diet and exercise helps prevent insulin resistance and diabetes.

Answer 1

Role of Obesity in Increasing Diabetes Risk:
Obesity, particularly abdominal or visceral fat accumulation, is a major risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes. The excess fat tissue alters the normal metabolism and promotes a state called insulin resistance, where body cells (muscle, fat, liver) respond poorly to insulin.

• Fat cells release inflammatory cytokines (such as TNF-alpha and IL-6) that impair insulin signaling.
• Increased free fatty acids from fat breakdown disrupt insulin action.
• The pancreas compensates by producing more insulin, but over time it fails, resulting in high blood sugar.
• Insulin resistance leads to glucose remaining in the bloodstream rather than entering cells.

Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and physical activity reduces insulin resistance and the risk of diabetes.