Weight, Diabetes, & Associated Diseases
There’s no denying it—weight is a complex topic. It may be even more complex for those who have excess weight and other health problems.
Excess weight can impact various areas of health. For example, it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (also called heart disease), obstructive sleep apnea, knee osteoarthritis, and type 2 diabetes.
Learn more about each of these conditions below.
The terms used to describe excess weight are based on body mass index (BMI), a measure of body fat based on height and weight:
Overweight: BMI greater than or equal to 25 kg/m² to less than 30 kg/m²
Obesity: BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m²
The prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) alone is expected to rise from 14% to 24% of the population, affecting nearly 2 billion adults, children, and adolescents worldwide by 2035.
Just as excess weight can impact other chronic health issues, we can impact the future of weight management through clinical research. Our team is diligently working to provide natural alternatives to prescription medicines to help people living with excess weight, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic health issues. See if a research study in this program is right for you.
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Cardiovascular disease is a group of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels.
This group of diseases includes:
Coronary heart disease
Cerebrovascular disease
Peripheral arterial disease
Heart failure
Heart attacks and strokes are usually caused by a blockage that prevents the heart or brain from receiving the blood flow it needs. Heart attacks and strokes are called acute events because they are sudden and severe when they begin.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally. In 2019, almost 1 in 3 people died from cardiovascular disease.
Risk factors for cardiovascular disease include:
Unhealthy diet
Physical inactivity
Tobacco use
Harmful use of alcohol
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) happens when your upper airway becomes blocked many times during sleep, which reduces or stops airflow. This means that your breathing stops for brief periods.
Those with large tonsils, excess weight, or changes in hormone levels may be at increased risk for OSA.
Symptoms of OSA include:
Snoring
Morning headaches
Chronic daytime sleepiness
Fatigue
Irritability
Impaired concentration
OSA is fairly common—studies estimate that almost 1 in every 5 men, and almost 1 in every 6 women are affected.7
Studies have shown that weight loss may improve symptoms of OSA.
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Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, which is inflammation and swelling in the joints. OA happens when the cartilage within a joint starts to break down and cause changes to the underlying bone. The changes may begin slowly and get worse over time.
OA is typically found in the hands, hips, and knees.
Risk factors for OA include:
Age (risk increases with age)
Gender (women are more likely to develop OA)
Excess weight
Genetics
Symptoms of OA include:
Pain or aching
Stiffness
Decreased range of motion
Swelling
Since 1990, there has been a 113% increase in OA around the world. In 2019, there were more than 527 million cases.
Population-based studies have consistently shown a link between excess weight or obesity and knee OA.
Studies have shown that weight loss may improve pain and function in patients with knee OA.
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Diabetes is a condition that occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.
More than 422 million people worldwide have diabetes.
More than 95% of the people who have diabetes have T2D.
Risk factors for T2D include:
Having prediabetes
Having excess weight
Being 45 years old or older
Having a parent or sibling with T2D
Being physically active less than 3 times per week
Without treatment, T2D causes sugar to build up in the blood, which can eventually lead to serious consequences such as:
Heart disease
Kidney disease
Blindness
Amputation