Locations:
Search IconSearch

Diabesity: How Obesity Is Related to Diabetes

And the one thing you can do to turn diabetes around

Dibesity diabetes and weight

You’ve probably heard of diabetes. And obesity. But what the heck is diabesity? It’s a new medical term for a condition that’s becoming a worldwide epidemic. And if you have it, losing weight could cure the condition. Endocrinologist Jay Waddadar, MD, explains.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

What is diabesity?

Diabesity isn’t an official diagnosis. It means you have both obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Together, these closely related conditions greatly increase your risk of heart disease — the leading cause of death in the country.

“Diabesity is a disease with enormous potential to cause ill effects on the body in the long run,” says Dr. Waddadar. “Some people don’t understand the importance of taking the steps to manage it because they’re feeling well at the time of diagnosis. But that’s a big mistake. Diabesity is a silent disease that damages your body if it’s not controlled, even while you feel fine.”

The good news: You can prevent, control and even reverse it. Dr. Waddadar shares more about how obesity causes and worsens diabetes. And why losing weight holds the key to possibly making it all go away.

How diabetes is related to obesity

Having obesity makes you more likely to develop diabetes, the condition of having too much glucose (sugar) circulating in your bloodstream. Obesity also causes diabetes to worsen faster.

Here’s what happens: Managing the level of glucose in your blood is the job of the pancreas. The pancreas creates insulin, which is a hormone that moves glucose out of your blood. Normally, insulin transports glucose to your muscles to use right away for energy or to the liver, where it’s stored for later.

Advertisement

But when you have diabesity, your cells resist letting insulin move glucose into them. To make matters worse, the area of your liver where excess glucose is usually stored is filled with fat. It’s like trying to put furniture in a room that’s already packed. “There’s no space for anything else,” Dr. Waddadar explains.

With nowhere to be stored, the glucose remains in the bloodstream. “So your pancreas creates even more insulin trying to accomplish the job of moving glucose out of the blood,” says Dr. Waddadar. “It’s trying to push against the resistance created by the fat. Your pancreas becomes overworked, and as a result, it wears out. It starts producing less insulin. Diabetes develops and then quickly worsens if the fat resistance remains.”

Does everyone with obesity develop diabesity?

If you have obesity, you’re about six times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those at a healthy weight. But not everyone with obesity automatically gets diabetes. Other factors are likely at play, too, including:

It may be that some people with obesity can produce more insulin without overtaxing the pancreas, says Dr. Waddadar. Others might be limited in insulin production, making it more likely that obesity will lead to diabesity.

Effects of weight loss on diabesity

Since excess fat worsens diabetes, losing weight can greatly improve the condition. “When you have diabesity, you may start with one medication to get the pancreas to produce enough insulin. But very soon and much earlier, you need two or more medicines for diabetes. But if you lose weight, you may do fine with just one medication or even go off medication entirely,” explains Dr. Waddadar.

Losing as little as 5% to 10% of your overall body weight can greatly improve Type 2 diabetes. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, 5% of that is 10 pounds. So bringing your weight down to 190 pounds can significantly help your health. “The first treatment goal for diabesity is to get to and maintain a healthy weight along with eating a low-carb diet,” Dr. Waddadar says.

Changing your diet and increasing exercise to lose weight can be challenging. But the hard work is worth it to avoid serious complications of uncontrolled diabetes like heart disease, kidney failure and nerve damage.

Ready to take the first step toward better health? Ask your doctor for resources and guidance to help you beat diabetes.

Advertisement

Learn more about our editorial process.

Related Articles

Grilled, seasoned chicken with asparagus and carrots on red plate
December 11, 2024/Diabetes & Endocrinology
Can Diet Help You Reverse Prediabetes?

The good news? Prediabetes can be erased with healthy lifestyle changes, including eating more nutritious foods

Person sitting at table eating from a plate full of food, thinking about other foods and meals floating around their head
December 9, 2024/Weight Loss
What Is Food Noise? And How To Quiet It

Constantly thinking about food can make it hard to maintain a healthy weight and can lead to other health issues

Smiling person walking dog, with autumn trees and leaves on ground
November 18, 2024/Diabetes & Endocrinology
5 Strategies To Increase Insulin Sensitivity

Exercising more, eating healthier and managing weight can significantly improve insulin sensitivity

Plate filled with mixed greens and veggies and grilled salmon, with small bowl of sesame seeds and a slice of lemon on table
November 12, 2024/Weight Loss
Overcoming Weight Gain After Gastric Sleeve Surgery

As many as 76% of people experience weight recurrence after bariatric surgery — but you can buck the trend by committing to long-term healthy habits

Female riding an exercise bike while newborn baby sleeps nearby
October 18, 2024/Pregnancy & Childbirth
How To Lose Weight While Breastfeeding

Ease into exercising, focus on sleep and follow a balanced diet — and be patient with yourself

Up close of person's hands holding bowl of strawberries and blueberries over oatmeal
October 18, 2024/Nutrition
Best Fruits for Diabetes

Fresh or frozen fruits that are low on the glycemic index should be your go-to, as they’re full of fiber and other nutrients

Separate bowls of shelled almonds, walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts, and in-shell pistachios
October 16, 2024/Diabetes & Endocrinology
9 Best Nuts for People With Diabetes

Adding nuts like pistachios, almonds or pecans to your diet can help manage blood sugar levels

Person doing squats on mat at home
September 4, 2024/Weight Loss
This Is How To Lose Weight the Right Way — and Keep It Off

Successful weight loss takes a long-term commitment to healthy living — create a healthy lifestyle you can keep up

Trending Topics

Person touching aching ear, with home remedies floating around
Home Remedies for an Ear Infection: What To Try and What To Avoid

Not all ear infections need antibiotics — cold and warm compresses and changing up your sleep position can help

Infographic of foods high in iron, including shrimp, oysters, peas, cream of wheat, prunes, eggs, broccoli, beef and chicken
52 Foods High In Iron

Pump up your iron intake with foods like tuna, tofu and turkey

Person squeezing half a lemon into a glass of water
Is Starting Your Day With Lemon Water Healthy?

A glass of lemon water in the morning can help with digestion and boost vitamin C levels, and may even help get you into a better routine

Ad