Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease estimated to affect 382 million people worldwide (International Diabetes Federation (IDF), 2013). Around 90% of diabetics have type 2 diabetes, formerly known as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (diabetes.org.uk, 2012). Type 2 diabetes is characterised by either insufficient production of the hormone insulin from the beta cells of the pancreas or the body’s resistance to its effects. This means that insulin-sensitive peripheral tissues have a decreased ability to respond to the hormone action (Xu et al. 2003). Over time, this results in elevated blood glucose (hyperglycaemia) as the muscle, adipose and liver cells cannot utilise glucose as a source of energy (Sizer and Whitney, 2008). If the disease
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Obesity is estimated to account for around 80% of all new diabetic cases (Holt and Hanley, 2011). A report by Public Health England highlighted that nine tenths of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight and a higher BMI raised the odds of diagnosis (Public Health England, 2014). Furthermore, in a group of British children, Haines et al. (2007) explored 67 cases of type 2 diabetes and found 83% of those with the disease were classified as obese. In light of these findings, this essay will attempt to understand the relationship between obesity and type 2 diabetes by exploring the physiological factors involved such as adipocyte function, the role of adiponectin and visceral …show more content…
2008). One specific protein that has received much attention is adiponectin which has both anti-inflammatory and insulin sensitizing functions (Heymsfield et al. 2005; Spranger et al. 2003). Its primary functions are to reduce glucose secretion from the liver to lower blood glucose and suppress the metabolic activities that generate glucose, a process known as gluconeogenesis (Turer and Scherer, 2012). Plasma levels of adiponectin are reportedly lower in obese individuals (Arita et al. 1999; Bacha et al. 2004; Hotta et al. 2000; Weiss, 2003; Weyer et al. 2001) and increase in relation to weight loss (Yang et al.
Obesity is estimated to account for around 80% of all new diabetic cases (Holt and Hanley, 2011). A report by Public Health England highlighted that nine tenths of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight and a higher BMI raised the odds of diagnosis (Public Health England, 2014). Furthermore, in a group of British children, Haines et al. (2007) explored 67 cases of type 2 diabetes and found 83% of those with the disease were classified as obese. In light of these findings, this essay will attempt to understand the relationship between obesity and type 2 diabetes by exploring the physiological factors involved such as adipocyte function, the role of adiponectin and visceral …show more content…
2008). One specific protein that has received much attention is adiponectin which has both anti-inflammatory and insulin sensitizing functions (Heymsfield et al. 2005; Spranger et al. 2003). Its primary functions are to reduce glucose secretion from the liver to lower blood glucose and suppress the metabolic activities that generate glucose, a process known as gluconeogenesis (Turer and Scherer, 2012). Plasma levels of adiponectin are reportedly lower in obese individuals (Arita et al. 1999; Bacha et al. 2004; Hotta et al. 2000; Weiss, 2003; Weyer et al. 2001) and increase in relation to weight loss (Yang et al.