What body types are linked with a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes?
Scroll down to check your answers.
We know that being overweight or obese puts one at a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes.
What we may not know is that people who looked thin can and do get Type 2 diabetes. In this article, you will find out why. You will also learn how to use waist circumference to measure central obesity.
Asians have a "thrifty" phenotype (body type) which means their bodies are made to store extra energy from the food they eat in the form of fat.
The excess fat tends to collect in the abdomen (belly). Since belly fat is found deep inside the body and surrounds internal organs, such as the liver and kidneys, the Asian person can look trim and yet have a higher body fat compared to the Caucasian. Indeed, for the same body mass index (BMI), Asians with higher body fat are more likely to develop diabetes compared to Caucasians.
As the person looks fat around the centre of the body, we refer to it as "central obesity" or an "apple" body type. There is a strong link between central obesity and diseases like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain
cancers.
Related: Is diabetes one of the Dangers of Visceral Fat (Belly Fat)?
That is why the correct answers to the question are: B, C, and D.
BMI doesn't tell the whole story.
To check your diabetes risk, measure your waist circumference in addition to your BMI.
You are at higher risk of Type 2 diabetes if your waist circumference is:
| |
Men | 90 cm (35.5 inches) and greater |
Women | 80 cm (31.5 inches) and greater |
If you have any of the risk factors for Type 2 diabetes, go for regular
health screening to detect diabetes early.
If you are between the ages of 18 and 39, find out your risk by taking the
Diabetes Risk Assessment. Take the first step towards beating diabetes.
Related: Know Your BMI
Download the HealthHub app on Google Play or Apple Store to access more health and wellness advice at your fingertips.
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This article was last reviewed on 22 Nov 2023
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