What is the connection between obesity and diabetes?

Obesity is one of the fastest-growing medical epidemics affecting people in Britain. Over half of the UK population is overweight and about one-sixth is clinically obese. In 1980, about 6 per cent of men and 8 per cent of women were obese. By 1991, the figures had doubled. Obesity greatly increases the risks of many diseases, including high blood pressure, kidney disease, and type 2 diabetes. It has been estimated that the diseases caused by obesity cost the National Health Service over £2 billion each year. It appears that in obese individuals (especially those with much fat in the trunk), the cells in the body begin to develop a resistance to insulin. They then fail to use blood glucose properly and glucose intolerance develops. Some obese individuals initially produce more insulin in compensation, but this also soon fails and diabetes results. Hence it is very important to try and maintain a reasonable weight. This can be estimated by calculating the Body Mass Index which also indicates the degree of risk for different ranges of BMI.