As we learn more about diabetes disease and body fat, it is
clear that we each have a healthy body fat percentage we must now aim for, not
just a healthy weight. Our body fat percentage is now a more important metric.
Overweight and obesity are both labels for ranges of weight that are greater
than what is generally considered healthy for a given height. The terms also
identify ranges of weight that have been shown to increase the likelihood of
certain diseases and other health problems.

Definitions for
Adults

For adults, overweight and obesity ranges are determined by
using weight and height to calculate a number called the body mass index (BMI).
BMI or body mass index is used because, for most people, it correlates with
what would be their healthy body fat percentage.

 An adult who has a
BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight.

 An adult who has a
BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.

Calculate your personal BMI.

The Relationship
between Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

Research strongly indicates that Type 2 Diabetes is very
closely linked to obesity. In fact, as many as 97% of people with Type 2
diabetes have the disease as a result of obesity. Approximately 61% of the U.S.
adult population can be categorized as overweight (that is about 97 million
adults). This number has increased by 50% in the last two decades.

Learn more about your Healthy Body Fat
Percentage.

There is very strong evidence that losing weight (as little
as 5-10% of your bodyweight) can delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes.
Losing weight helps to reduce blood glucose levels in many patients that have
Pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Additionally, losing weight reduces the
amount of fatty tissue in the body, which reduces the level of stress on the
heart and other organs.

Childhood Obesity

In order for obesity to lead to diabetes, a person does not
necessarily have to be obese at the time of the diabetes diagnosis. In fact,
childhood obesity has a very strong correlation to Type 2 diabetes. According
to the Medical College of Wisconsin, as many as 25% of U.S. children are obese (not just overweight.)

Weight status
category Percentile range

Underweight - Less than the 5th percentile

 Healthy weight - 5th
percentile to less than the 85th percentile

 At risk of overweight
- 85th to less than the 95th percentile

Overweight - Equal to or greater than the 95th percentile

Calculate the BMI for your child or teenager.

Keep in mind that once the body creates fat cells, the cells
are not destroyed. Instead, the fat cells always remain in the body, just in
different sizes. Therefore, parents need to be very careful about monitoring
their weight and amount of body fat in their children in order to help them
avoid getting Type 2 Diabetes. Always use to prefer body
fat scales.

Possible Solutions

Obesity can and should be controlled (or eliminated)
whenever possible. Your doctor may prescribe medications to help you try to lose
weight. However, good nutrition and exercise are the best remedies to creating
and sustaining a healthier lifestyle. Use our interactive modules to learn more
about Sugars and Starches, How Your Digestive System Works and Diabetes.

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