Obesity and diabetes: interrelationship

Diabetes epidemic can be attributed to the increasing incidence of obesity, especially in India. It is estimated that about 60-90% of all the patients with type 2 diabetes are obese (BMI30kg/m 2 ) or overweight (BMI25kg/m 2 ). A number of mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of obesity have been proposed which play an important role in the development of diabetes by causing insulin resistance or hypersecretion of insulin. Excessive storage of fat in obese people leads to the release of excessive fatty acids resulting in insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. Insulin resistance is also a consequence of elevated secretion of cytokines (TNF-, IL-6, complement C3, MIF and leptin) by the adipose tissue resulting in the development of diabetes. There is a close association of diabetes and obesity with low plasma concentrations of adiponectin however, further experimental studies are required to establish the role of adiponectin. Development of both the diseases can be prevented to a large extent by increasing physical activities and maintaining a healthy weight. We undertook this review to study the interrelationship between diabetes and obesity.