Body mass index is a stronger risk factor for diabetes than the genetic factor

Weight loss could prevent or even remit diabetes, according to new research presented at ESC Congress 2020. This study sought evidence on the combination of inherited risk with body mass index (BMI), which appears to be able to identify people with diabetes. the highest risk of developing diabetes.

In 2019, approximately 463 million people worldwide had diabetes, of which the vast majority (approximately 90%) had type 2 diabetes. According to experts, diabetes doubles the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and death from cardiovascular disease. . It is also known that obesity is the main modifiable and controllable cause of type 2 diabetes, and the genetic fingerprint can also identify people who are more likely to develop this condition.

With the help of genes, one could identify from the beginning of life who has a high chance of developing diabetes during life, as stated by the main researcher of this research – Brian Ference, professor at the University of Cambridge, UK and University of Milan, Italy.

The study included 445,765 participants from the UK with an average age of 57.2 years, of whom 54% were women. Upon enrollment in the study, the inherited risk of diabetes was assessed and height and weight were measured. Participants were followed until an average age of 65.2 years. During this period, 31,298 of the participants developed type 2 diabetes. People in the group with the highest BMI (on average 34.5 kg / m2) had an 11-fold increased risk of diabetes compared to participants in the group with the highest BMI. the lowest BMI (on average 21.7 kg / m2). The largest BMI group was more likely to develop diabetes than all other BMI groups, regardless of genetic risk.

The findings indicate that BMI is a much stronger risk factor for diabetes than genetic predisposition, said Professor Ference. The researchers found that the duration of a high BMI had no impact on the risk of diabetes. “This suggests that when people cross a certain BMI threshold, their chances of diabetes increase and remain at the same level, no matter how long they are overweight,” said Professor Ference.

These findings indicate that most cases of diabetes could be prevented / prevented by keeping a BMI below the limit that causes abnormal blood sugar. This means that in order to prevent diabetes, both BMI and blood sugar should be evaluated regularly. The same researchers pointed out that weight loss efforts are much greater when a person already has high blood sugar. Blood sugar and BMI can be kept within normal limits with a healthy, balanced diet, and the easiest way to change your diet is with the Dahna app, which you can download for free for both iPhone and Android.

Source here.