Redefining type 2 diabetes: 'diabesity' or 'obesity dependent diabetes mellitus'?
Type 2 diabetes is considered by diabetes physicians as a complex and heterogeneous disease with a poorly understood aetiology, apart from the fact that there is a strong genetic propensity that becomes overt when exposed to a typical Western lifestyle. Our clinical targets are now moving from controlling the disease to preventing it. Do we need to await more research on the aetiology and pathophysiology before establishing a preventive strategy? No, the pathophysiology may be poorly understood, but there is now solid evidence that type 2 diabetes is a disease of fatness. New, controlled, clinical trials show that as little as 5% weight loss is sufficient to prevent most obese subjects with impaired glucose tolerance developing type 2 diabetes. Since type 2 diabetes is obesity dependent, and obesity is the main aetiogical cause of type 2 diabetes, we propose the term 'diabesity' should be adopted.
Astrup
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A
Research Department of Human Nutrition, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Denmark.
Finer
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N
D000273:Adipose Tissue; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology