Diabetes and Obesity: Emerging Pandemics of the 21st Century Essay

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and obesity are both emerging pandemics in the 21st century. One consequence of obesity is an increased risk of developing T2DM. One’s relative risk of T2DM increases as his/her body mass index (BMI) increases above 23. T2DM is the most common disease among the U.S. population, accounting for approximately 90% of such cases, usually diagnosed in adulthood, and in most cases as a result of overweight or obesity. T2DM involves a combination of insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency and may not require treatment with external insulin, especially at early stages (Fowler, 2007). Consequently, the goal of treatment is to achieve strict control of blood sugar (glucose) levels. The extent to which etiological factors may be relevant for adults with T2DM is not clear, but research suggest a theoretical model of potential pathways between disordered eating behaviors and T2DM. Moreover, several studies have demonstrated that change in lifestyle and sede ntary habits could lead to decreased incidence of progression to T2DM (Ismail, 2008). Bio/Psycho/Social Aspects of the Illnesses T2DM is a heterogeneous disorder thus the clinical expression of the disorder requires both genetic and environmental factors. One theory concerning its etiology is that T2DM is the result of the evolution of a thrifty genotype that had survival benefits in the past but is detrimental in the current environment (Ismail, 2008). An opposing theory states that the disease represents an adult metabolic response to fetal malnutrition. Hyperglycemia in T2DM results from absolute or relative insulin deficiency. Most often insulin deficiency is attributable to an inability to adequately compensate for insulin resistance. Insulin resistan... ...),1433-1441. Spangler, J., Summerson, J., Bell, R., & Konen, J. (2001). Smoking status and psychosocial variables in type 1 diabetes mellitus. Addictive Behaviors, 26(1), 21–29. Soroudi, N., Perez, G., Gonzalez, J., Greer, J., Pollack, M., Otto, M., et al. (2008). CBT for medication adherence and depression (CBT-AD) in HIV-infected patients receiving methadone maintenance therapy. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 15, 93–106. Willi, C., Bodenmann, P., Ghali, W., Faris, P., & Cornuz, J. (2007). Active smoking and the risk of type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Medical Association, 298(22), 2654–2664. Ziedonis, D., Williams, J. M., & Smelson, D. (2003). Serious mental illness and tobacco addiction: A model program to address this common but neglected issue. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences, 326(4), 223–230.