I have written about several approaches to weight loss. First and always is lifestyle changes involving food choices, and eating habits. Along with that, one needs to start or increase physical activity. There are many different ways to achieve these, from books, videos, group activities, online programs, counselling and many combinations of these. For those folks who still can’t reach goal, the next options are weight loss medications, which I have discussed previously, and surgery.
After gaining weight with pregnancies, one woman successfully lost weight with gastric bypass surgery. Read about the lifestyle changes she made at this article from American Family Physician journal.
Review other posts which address weight management issues at these links.
Diabetes mellitus type 2, often linked to obesity, complicates blood glucose control for overweight individuals. It contributes to serious complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, and neuropathy. Early diagnosis and effective management through lifestyle changes and medication are crucial. Everyone should be aware of symptoms and high-risk factors for diabetes.
updated November 11, 2025
Diabetes mellitus type 2, sometimes called “sugar diabetes”, is one reason I have posted several articles about obesity.Obesity is strongly associated with diabetes.
People who are overweight or obese are at greater risk of developing diabetes, and if they are diabetic, their blood glucose (sugar) will be more difficult to control. Unfortunately, some of the medicines used to treat diabetes cause weight gain, or make weight loss difficult.
Diabetes and obesity are interrelated; we don’t always know which came first.
Diabetes-a misunderstood disease.
People know cancer, heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease are serious, but may minimize diabetes. They would be more concerned if they know diabetes directly contributes to many other conditions that decrease quality as well as length of life.
Diabetes directly contributes to
atherosclerosis, a fancy name for narrowed or blocked arteries, the blood vessels that carry oxygen rich blood; this can lead to heart attacks, stroke, loss of vision-retinopathy, limb pain, and amputation
loss of kidney function, called nephropathy, which can progress into ESRD (end stage renal disease)
damage to nerves, causing painful neuropathy with numbness and tingling in the feet, impotence, bowel and bladder dysfunction, dizziness among other symptoms.
Heart diseases affect any and sometimes multiple parts of the heart- the atria, ventricles, the valves, the aorta, the pulmonary artery and veins, the walls and the coronary arteries (not shown in this diagram. )
Diabetes-a Treatable Disease
First, diabetes is easy to diagnose; a simple blood test, sometimes repeated for confirmation, can find it quickly.
Second, through a combination of lifestyle and medication, diabetes can be controlled effectively.
Diabetes is treated with a combination of diet, exercise, and medication. Many diabetic persons monitor their blood sugar regularly.
Diagnosing Diabetes
Anyone can develop diabetes; even children and teenagers are developing it now.
Anyone with these symptoms persistently should see their doctor, as they can indicate undiagnosed diabetes.
extreme thirst
increased hunger
significant weight loss without trying
unexplained fatigue
blurry vision
frequent urination
tingling hands and feet
sexual problems
sores that don’t heal
heat intolerance in warm weather
We know that some people are at greater risk- so they should be tested for diabetes even without symptoms
Persons at higher than average risk include
older age, especially over age 40
overweight/obese persons
women with a history of gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)
Black, Native American and Hispanic persons in the United States; (worldwide various other ethnic groups are at higher risk)
Family history of diabetes, especially if in a parent or sibling
Persons with high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol
Control of blood pressure and cholesterol when diabetes is present.
Detailed information about diabetes can be found here
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watercress words by Dr Aletha 