Obesity is a complex, chronic condition and the leading driver of type 2 diabetes, accounting for 30-53% of new cases annually in the U.S. Over the past two decades, its impact on diabetes diagnoses has been significant, with prevalence among American adults exceeding 40% as recently as 2023. Managing obesity therefore remains critical in efforts to prevent and reverse diabetes.

Perhaps the driving concern about obesity in this case is that it can lead to insulin resistance, a key component in the development and progression of diabetes. When you have excess visceral fat around your organs and tissues (as opposed to subcutaneous fat which lies just under the skin and is much less harmful), it can lead to chronic inflammation, lipotoxicity, and hormonal imbalances, all of which significantly impair the body’s ability to recognize and utilize insulin effectively. You may also be at higher risk for serious health conditions like diabetes if your waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR) is:

• Greater than 0.9 (for men)
• Greater than 0.85 (for women)

Here is how each of the following obesity-related conditions can increase your risk of developing diabetes:

1. Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation

Visceral fat produces pro-inflammatory cytokines, proteins that trigger inflammation. While some inflammation can be helpful for the body– when your immune system is fighting off an illness, for example– chronic inflammation interferes with insulin signaling, which makes it harder for the body to regulate blood sugar. The connection between obesity, chronic inflammation, and insulin sensitivity is so closely tied, in fact, that even a 5% reduction in fat-focused weight has been shown to improve pancreatic beta cell function, and can therefore improve insulin sensitivity.

2. Lipotoxicity

Visceral fat that builds up in organs and tissues where it doesn’t normally belong is called lipotoxicity, and can be very dangerous. When excess fat gets stored in places like the liver and muscles, for example, it can disrupt their normal functions, and lead to metabolic dysfunction. Specifically, lipotoxicity in the liver can cause excess fatty acids from visceral fat to drain into the portal vein, which then triggers a chain reaction of compromised insulin signaling, and therefore, poor blood sugar regulation. In addition, lipotoxicity in the pancreas hinders the beta cells’ ability to function properly, produce insulin, or even survive at all, because it can trigger negative cellular stress responses. 

3. Hormonal Imbalances

Obesity can alter the production of vital hormones like leptin and adiponectin, which regulate things like metabolism, energy levels, appetite, and inflammation. In addition, when these hormones are out of balance, it can lead to other diabetes-related risk factors like:

• Low energy and fatigue. Imbalanced metabolism and energy-producing hormones can leave you feeling sluggish and run down.
  
  
• Overeating. Studies have shown that a resistance to leptin (the hormone that makes you feel full after a meal) can cause you to eat more food than your body actually needs.
  
  
• Disrupted sleep patterns. When leptin and its counterpart, ghrelin (the hormone that makes you feel hungry), are imbalanced, it can upset the natural sleep/wake cycle.
  
  
• Reduced sensitivity to insulin. Obese individuals tend to demonstrate lower levels of adiponectin, a hormone that helps regulate insulin sensitivity and inflammation.

Over time, these obesity and diabetes-related factors can create a challenging cycle of cause and effect that make it even harder to lose weight and manage blood sugar. As such, it’s vital to get them under control as quickly and sustainably as possible.

Targeting Obesity to Reduce Diabetes Risk

Addressing the root causes of obesity is critical for reducing the risk and progression of diabetes and prediabetes. Research shows that even modest weight loss of 5-10%, combined with at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week, can lower diabetes risk by more than 50%. And it is important to note that while GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy may aid in weight loss, they do not specifically target visceral fat, nor do they protect muscle mass—both of which are essential for glucose management and long-term metabolic health. These medications primarily address the symptom of excess weight, but they do not offer a sustainable lasting solution.

In contrast, L-Nutra Health’s clinically backed, non-invasive programs are designed to address the root causes of metabolic dysfunction. Through a lifestyle medicine approach that includes personalized dietitian guidance, medical oversight, stress management, exercise, and cycles of the 5-day, low-glycemic Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD), these programs specifically target visceral fat while protecting muscle mass and have also been shown to lower insulin levels and improve blood sugar control - all essential for long-term weight management, overall metabolic health, and decreasing both the risk for, and progression of, type 2 diabetes.

To learn more about how our programs can help you, book a complimentary call today.

Additional Resources:

• Why L-Nutra Health Programs May Be More Beneficial Than GLP1-s
• Can The Type of Fat You Carry Impact Metabolic Conditions?