Thin people. Type 2.

Catherine,

it is true that a proportion of Type 2's have the condition through no fault of their own and for whom weight loss and lifestyle changes are not going to have much effect (if any).

There are, however, a large number of Type 2's and those with pre-diabetes and insulin resistance who are overweight and obese and their weight is contributing to their condition. From a public health education perspective, it makes sense to target the blissfully ignorant majority in the knowledge that the few who are unfortunate to have heeded the health warnings but still have Type 2 Diabetes can be advised individually by their healthcare team.

This is backed up by my observations of my X-PERT course cohort as a representative cross-section, the vast majority were overweight or obese, I was slightly overweight, but well on on my way down to normal from a BMI of 33 and there was one person who you would describe as 'normal' and very active.

While incomplete, the current message is the clearest message they can give and one that might actually get through to at least some of the population and prompt action. To complicate the message would just give people an excuse.

The subject of weight loss comes up a lot on this forum. There are many people who have lost weight, are in the process of deliberately trying to lose weight, or have been advised by their health care professionals to lose weight on diagnosis. Some people have a very strong family history, for example my sister's husband is diabetic, as were his mother and maternal aunt. I have no family history or other risk factors, only inability to exercise as a result of disability. I don't have any markers of 'metabolic syndrome'. Because of these factors, I am not considered at risk of diabetes at all by my doctors, so my impaired glucose tolerance would have been missed if I was not testing myself. For many people, weight loss can make a considerable impact on their blood glucose control, but for me it's not an option. It's actually quite disheartening to up see how well people can improve by losing weight when you know that it won't make a difference. I am in that minority of 15-20% and it's not all that great when all the advice centres around weight loss and cutting out bad food habits when it doesn't apply.


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

wow I actually find myself feeling sorry for you for not being fat

lol ok that's a new one on me

but that does sound awful

The stereotype works both ways… :-(


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

I agree Catherine -also thin T2 - mine is genetic! But I hate the way T2 is often portrayed -regardless of weight - as I know lots of people, such as my son and my daughter who have thyroid issues. I know that weight, poor diet etc can cause T2, but surely the powers that be can make it a bit more obvious, these are not the only causes, in their campaigns, it almost make us all look like miscreants who caused our illness - albeit that can be the case with some people :!:

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

I wonder if the health authorities are looking at weight loss as a free, and maybe quick, fix? If it works to some degree or other then fine. If it doesn't then I suppose it's a case of keep taking the meds. I know a type2 who's meds seem to go up each year, I doubt if he's carrying more than 1/2 a stone of extra weight, if that. I can't see the loss of that 1/2 stone making much difference to his meds.