title: Link between obesity and type 2 diabetes.
abstract: The relationship between obesity and diabetes is of such interdependence that the term 'diabesity' has been coined. The passage from obesity to diabetes is made by a progressive defect in insulin secretion coupled with a progressive rise in insulin resistance. Both insulin resistance and defective insulin secretion appear very prematurely in obese patients, and both worsen similarly towards diabetes. Thus, the classic 'hyperbolic relationship' between insulin resistance and insulin secretion and the 'glucose allostasis concept' remain prevailing concepts in this particular field of knowledge. An increase in overall fatness, preferentially of visceral as well as ectopic fat depots, is specifically associated with insulin resistance. The accumulation of intramyocellular lipids may be due to reduced lipid oxidation capacity. The ability to lose weight is related to the capacity to oxidize fat. Thus, a relative defect in fat oxidation capacity is responsible for energy economy and hampered weight loss.
authors.affiliation: Service of Therapeutic Education for Diabetes, Obesity and Chronic Diseases, Geneva University Hospital, 24 rue Micheli-du-Crest, Switzerland. alain.golay@hcuge.ch
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Golay
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ybarra
mesh_terms: D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000502:physiology; D008055:Lipids / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D005947:Glucose