Obesity a factor in type 1 diabetes

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A new study shows that obesity can accelerate the progress of type 1 diabetes.
We already know that obesity is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Now a team at Wake Forest University reveals that obesity can also have an impact on type 1 diabetes. Younger people tend to suffer from type 1 diabetes, older people from type 2. In type 1 diabetes, thought of an an autoimmune disorder, the beta cells in the pancreas do not produce enough, or any, insulin.

In this study of 449 participants, under 20 at the age of their diagnosis, obesity was found to accelerate the disease. This was, however, mainly a problem where the production of insulin by the beta cells had already been severely compromised. The findings may explain why the increase in childhood obesity has been linked to finding type 1 diabetes at an earlier age, at least in some populations. Urgent action is needed to help younger people keep to a healthy weight, so they can be protected from type 1 diabetes.

Source
Diabetes Care February 2006

Please take a moment to give us your comments. For questions about Health matters you may check our "Questions & Answers" Portal and Service.