Why do people insist that diabetes is always as a result of consuming too much sugar and being overweight?
At the time I was diagnosed I was not overweight, did not consume vast amounts of sugar, sugary foods, fat or junk foods.
I ate, as I always have, and still do, a healthy, balanced diet based on wholefoods, fruit and vegetables. I have never smoked and walked at least 5 miles 6 days a week.
I have type 2, and was aged 56 when diagnosed. It is very well controlled, with none of the associated complications.
I am taking tablets and not insulin.
In response to some answers, I am not aware of any blood relatives with diabetes.
I had been going through a time of severe stress for a while and when diagnosed my then doctor thought that may have been the trigger, ’something had to give’.
When I walk I build up a good steady pace, even uphill. I used to walk to and from work, each way took about 35 to 40 mins. depending on the weather. I walk or cycle now as much as I can.
The tablets I take are metformin and rosiglitazone combined and on low dosage.
because people who think they know it all dont…they’re all ignorant and uneducated….they dont realize that anyone can get any type of disease no matter how healthy you may be…they think oh i cant get diabetes im not overweight and i dont eat alot of sugar…WRONG…same thing kind of happend to me…im not overweight and i never ate alot of sugar but i still ended up with type 1(and yes i know theres a difference) people just assume that because you have diabetes that youre overweight or that you were overweight…and they’re wrong…….sorry for my rambling!
admin on October 8th 2009 in Diabetes Fruits and Vegetables
thecraze responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 8:37 am #
Diabetes caused by being overweight is type 2. Type 1 is what you seem to have, which is hereditary.
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steven c responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 8:43 am #
there is more than one kind of diabeties and peopke just assume that you have an unhealthy lifestyle if you have it sorry brits are just a bunch of small minded individuals
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Mickey B responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 9:08 am #
Because people are ignorant of this condition. My fiancee has diabetis (type II) too, and if you were to look at him, you would think that he was one of the healthiest men in the world. Sigh, it’s very frustrating for him, and for you, I am sure. I hope that you have been able to keep it under control and will soon be able to reduce (or even eliminate) your dependancy on insulin.
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IIDX Chem responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 9:52 am #
It is because people are ignorant of the disease.
They don’t know the differences between type 1 & 2 diabetes and the implications on how diabetes happens.
It is true that overloading with sugar can cause insulin levels to go beserk, but not all cases are these way. Some people do not understand and assume that once a person is a diabetic, the person is a glut, overwt and do not exercise.
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besnugg responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 10:34 am #
The real reason is ignorance. The main factor in diabeties has always been heredity.
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Personal experience
natasha * responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 10:51 am #
There is self inflicted or genetic. Unfortunatley it sounds like yours is genetic. It doesnt mean that you have done anything wrong, or any of your immediate family has it.
There are people out there who do self inflict it.
Charles recently said that McDonalds should be banned. This is utter tripe. Parents should learn how to control what their kids eat. They should be taught how to cook quick meals, and that Mcdonalds and take aways should be a treat, a very rare treat!
I am sorry you were diagnosed.
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gvih2g2 responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 10:57 am #
There are two types of Diabetes – one is completely genetic, and nothing to do with diet or weight. Most people with Type I Diabetes are very slim, because they know that sugar makes them ill and so avoid it.
For the other (Type II Diabetes) there is a strong component of diet and weight, but there is still genetic predisposition – just the same as for heart disease. That’s the more common form these days, and the one that is often talked about or in the news because it is rising so fast.
A lot of people don’t know the difference, sadly.
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minty359 responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 11:39 am #
With Type 2 diabetes, the illness and symptoms tend to develop gradually (over weeks or months). This is because in Type 2 diabetes you still make insulin (unlike Type 1 diabetes). However, you develop diabetes because:
you do not make enough insulin for your body’s needs, OR
the cells in your body do not use insulin properly. This is called ‘insulin resistance’. The cells in your body become resistant to normal levels of insulin. So, you need more insulin than you normally make to keep the blood glucose level down, OR
a combination of the above two reasons.
Type 2 diabetes used to be known as maturity onset, or Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes. It develops mainly in people older than 40 (but sometimes occurs in younger people). In the UK about 3 in 100 people aged over 40, and about 10 in 100 people aged over 65, have Type 2 diabetes. It is more common in people who are overweight or obese. It also tends to run in families. It is also more common in South Asian and African-Caribbean people (often developing before the age of 40 in this group).
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flymetothemoon279 responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 12:05 pm #
because thats what the drs keep telling us
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tweetypie771 responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 12:11 pm #
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.but can also be heridatary
there are 4 types
Type 1 diabetes
Results from the body’s failure to produce insulin, the hormone that "unlocks" the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them. It is estimated that 5-10% of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes
Results from insulin resistance (a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin), combined with relative insulin deficiency. Most Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women – about 135,000 cases in the United States each year.
Pre-diabetes
Pre-diabetes is a condition that occurs when a person’s blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. There are 54 million Americans who have pre-diabetes, in addition to the 20.8 million with diabetes.
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http://www.diabetes.org
Beanbag responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 12:19 pm #
Lack of information or personal experience will cause people to insist that diabetes is always as a result of consuming too much sugar and being overweight. Similar to people suffering from gout are always thought to drink too much port and eat too much pheasant! People do not always have to be overweight or consume too much sugar to be diagnosed with Type II diabetes – it may be a condition that is hereditary.
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roritr2005 responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 12:47 pm #
I personally haven’t heard that. I hear that those problems will contribute to the disease after the fact. I am an older person though and an MA so I am not so ignorant. I am sorry people keep telling you that, perhaps you will run into some better people soon who will be more understanding. Good luck!!
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afrowoman responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 1:26 pm #
I think most of these diagnosis are just an educated guess.
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Luvfactory responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 2:07 pm #
I know some very skinny people with diabetes. It’s just that their bodies are unable to process sugar the way my body would. It could be genetic.
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spinxethanema responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 2:38 pm #
Having a diabetes millitus is not just by consuming too much of sugar and fat…also carbohydrates, cause carbohydrates will turn into simple sugars like, maltose, lactose, fructose, galactose and glucose..and too much of that can cause diabetes..I will give to you how Carbohyrates will be digested…
CARBOHYDRATE DIGESTION
ENZYME SITE OF ACTION
STARCH salivary amylase mouth
!
dextrin dissacharide – pancreatic amylase stomach
Dissacharide – intestinal enzymes small
! (maltose, lactose, fructose) intestine
!
Glucose, Galactose,
and these are the siple sugars and the Villi’s will now absove it..
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brock2296 responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 2:54 pm #
Well, you must be a rare case, and gentically been predisposed to diabetes. You see the reason why diabetics are stereotyped as being overweight or eating way too sweets, is b/c a vast majority of those you have diabetes fit that catagory, and yes weight and the amount of sugar intake over a period of time can create a huge increase in your risk of getting diabetes.
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gCo responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 3:01 pm #
Diabetes drives people to worry a lot since it can be adopted from our ancestors. Hereditary acquisition of such ailment is a possibility since it might become one of our weakness.
Since it is inevitable to avoid it, we must, as well prevent it while we can.
Try to learn or scout for alternative medicines that can strengthen your immune system.
"Prevention is better than Cure."
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nettie responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 3:29 pm #
my dad developed diabetes at age 35. his was caused from heavy drinking(not water). but all of his siblings also have developed it and they dont drink,dont consume massive amounts of sugar and are not overweight. they did develop
their’s much later in life than my father.
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BARROWMAN responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 4:17 pm #
The Cause Of Diabetes Type 2.
Also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, adult-onset diabetes, maturity-onset diabetes, ketosis-resistant diabetes, and stable diabetes.
This is the type that affects 90% of diabetics. It is an ever expanding disease and is now thought to affect around 4% of the world population. In some countries the number of people aged 45 and over who have Type 2 diabetes is as high as 20%.
The modern trend to emphasise solely the role of obesity and inactivity in this type of diabetes has led to the belief by many non-diabetics that having this disease is your own fault, you needed to have eaten less and exercised more. This can make many a Type 2 want to scream with frustration, especially as they watch those same people devour huge quantities of forbidden foods while lolling around viewing the next sport fixture. If what they thought held true they would soon be joining you in your battle to cope with this disease, but they don’t – so why not?
That is because the causes of Type 2 diabetes are not that simple. There is a complicated weave of factors that play a role.
Listed below are some of the most important:-
1. Genetics
2. Defective hormonal secretions.
3. Insulin abnormalities – insulin resistance and subsequent overproduction leading to beta cell ‘wear out’.
4. Environment.
5. Increased glucose production by the liver.
6. Sedentary lifestyle.
7. Visceral obesity
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Alex responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 4:52 pm #
I have type II diabetes. It was diagnosed about five years ago, but I think that I had it long before then.
Insulin is produced by the pancreas. If it does not produce enough, or the body does not use it properly, then you have type II diabetes. Mine is no doubt caused by too much drinking over the years. I have never eaten sweets, or cakes as I didn’t like them, I seem to have a ’sour tooth’. I am about two stones overweight, and have been for years.
None of my family had diabetes on either side, including great grandparents, grandparents and so on. So I don’t think it is hereditary, it is probably just unhealthy living. The BMA say that there are thousands of people who are unaware that they have type II diabetes.
My diabetes is under control with tablets and a little dieting. I still have a drink though.
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jimjim responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 5:08 pm #
i think it is genetic,when i was diagnosed type 2 at 32.i am not over weight,do not eat sweets.but drinking lot of alcoholic drinks can also be a chance.
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m88b responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 5:56 pm #
because people who think they know it all dont…they’re all ignorant and uneducated….they dont realize that anyone can get any type of disease no matter how healthy you may be…they think oh i cant get diabetes im not overweight and i dont eat alot of sugar…WRONG…same thing kind of happend to me…im not overweight and i never ate alot of sugar but i still ended up with type 1(and yes i know theres a difference) people just assume that because you have diabetes that youre overweight or that you were overweight…and they’re wrong…….sorry for my rambling!
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myself-type 1
huggz responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 6:38 pm #
I’m type 2 and it seems that people would rather believe Great Aunt Gertie who can barely write her name rather than medically qualified experts. Theres a lot of ignorance around!! To prove my point….I asked a question a while back about going hypo when it was cold (I was at the time on medication to control my diabetes) and some "expert" Yahoo Answerer told me I couldn’t go hypo if I wasn’t on insulin! It worries me sometimes that these idiots could be believed!!!
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Cathy :) responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 7:06 pm #
Most type 2s are v ignorant about diabetes, so your problem is common with us type 1s. I get so sick of the "oh that’s really bad that you have diabetes at your age!" kinda comments, esp. as they complain that they’ve got diabetes and it’s so terrible, when they’ve had their whole lives without it and aren’t using insulin – they have no idea how it feels to have diabetes at school or to plan your future with it! (sorry – I’m not having a go at you here!) I know someone who is like you – v skinny and healthy, in early 50s and type 2 treated with tablets. I asked my diabetes nurse about it and she said that some people think it could actually be another type of diabetes that’s closer to type 1, though I dunno how much medical evidence there is for that. Anyway, my point is you have my sympathy – it’s hard to have to deal with the stigma that diabetes is getting as well as having to have diabetes. Best thing is that you know your situation is not your fault – I’ve sometimes even stopped trying to explain to people now! Look after yourself and your diabetes and try to ignore them xx
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reginachick22 responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 7:14 pm #
The reason people insist this is because about 80% of Type 2 diabetics are overweight/obese, eat unhealthily, and are sedentary (don’t exercise). Type 2 diabetes has become an epidemic, and we know that a main cause of this is due to our lifestyles, as genetics can’t change in 50 years.
That said, about 20% of Type 2 cases are NOT related to lifestyle. This would include you. There are forms of Type 2 called MODY, which is considered a genetic form of diabetes. There are other genes that cause other forms of non-lifestyle related Type 2 diabetes. Some people get Type 2 diabetes from using certain medications, including steroids and anti-psychotics.
Also consider that you could be a LADA, or late onset Type 1. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that has nothing to do with lifestyle and cannot be prevented. Many adult cases of late onset Type 1 are misdiagnosed as Type 2, as many doctors still mistakenly believe Type 1 only happens in people under 30 (mostly children). You can have your doctor test to see if you are really Type 1 if you wish. If you need to go on insulin in the next little while (within 1.5 years or so) depsite good control, you may be a LADA. Many with LADA can go for quite awhile on oral meds, as their beta cells are destroyed very slowly.
I am sorry you have to deal with this. You are in the same boat as people with Type 1, who are constantly being lumped together with the obesity related Type 2 cases. Frustrating to say the least.
Take good care of yourself, and expect ignorance from others. Educate them, but know most will remain ignorant unless they too have to deal with diabetes on a personal level. It is also the media’s fault for only representing lifestyle related Type 2. Although we need to work hard to prevent this form of diabetes, we cannot forget about the other types.
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norma e responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 7:41 pm #
I know what you’re talking about. My husband was diagnosed with type two diabetes when he was in his fifties. He was fit, slim and very healthy. No matter how he tried to control it, he has ended up on insulin. After going on insulin he has put on a tremendous amount of weight. No, he has a poor appetite, before anyone says that he overeats, and he eats healthily.besnugg get your facts right, the truth is it is not always hereditary. They did an experiment some years ago with some aborigines who were given a western diet, most of them ended up with diabetes. When put back into their own environment they were fine with no sign of diabetes. I wish you good health.
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Karen W responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 8:02 pm #
It really annoys me. I am an insulin dependant diabetic and i was nine when i was diagnosed and underweight. All I know is that you are more likely to get it as your body has to work harder when your over weight.
More technical explanation you body digests carbs and uses it for energy (metabolic metabolism) which turns into fat which is used to make glycogen yes that great hypo healer. It is used for energy etc….. my view diabetic fats aren’t broken down very easy
I believe everyone is unaware of the hereditary factors and the environments in which live
All the best …supporter
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Sympathiser
?Peachy?™ responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 8:43 pm #
What people? When my mother became diabetic in the sixties, I quit adding sugar to cereal, avoided candy, and generally avoided sweets because her knucklehead doctor told her that’s why she became diabetic. Type two diabetes occurs in folks who are genetically predisposed to it. It is precipitated by poor diet, lack of exercise, and poor weight management. Not necessarily all of those, but each has it’s own contribution to the probability of getting it. You are one of the very small minority of folks who became diabetic without the precipitating factors. It may interest you to know that milk has been implicated in insulin resistance (the precursor to type 2) as have certain other fats.
I certainly don’t insist that sugar causes it. I will, however, continue to insist that obesity, poor diet, and lack of exercise will increase your chances of getting type 2 tremendously. The facts supporting this are staggering. If you know someone that still insists that sugar causes diabetes, show them this….
http://www.geocities.com/seabulls69/Type_II_Diabetes.html
or this:
http://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2006nl/sept/sugar.htm
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kinkybootsno1 responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 9:18 pm #
People hear a few comments on the TV or read a little about it & swoosh! off they go assuming they know all there is to know about a certain condition…..I actually developed diabetes when I was pregnant with my youngest son & having to take a high dose of steroids daily…..it did go though when my Son was born…….knowledge is a good thing but a little knowledge is dangerous & downright annoying too when you have a condition & everyone assumes they know all about it when in fact they know nothing…….
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srikant b responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 9:43 pm #
THEY ARE PARTLY WRONG. TAKING SUGAR IS NOT THE REASON FOR ONSET OF DIABETES. HOWEVER WITH OVERWEIGHT, YOU START GETTING PAUNCH AT BELLY. THIS SERIOUSLY AFFECTS MOVEMENT OF DIAPHRAGM DURING BREATHING. THE MOVEMENT OF DIAPHRAGM ENABLES TONING UP OF ALL ABDOMINAL ORGANS BELOW THE DIAPHRAGM. THE ONSET OF DIABETES IN YOUR CASE APPEARS TO BE DUE TO MENTAL STRESSES. DEEP MEDITATION ALONG WITH YOUR EXERCISES REGIMEN WILL SURELY BRING DOWN SUGAR LEVELS IN YOUR CASE. YOU HAVE NOT SPECIFIED THE TIME YOU TAKE FOR WALKING 5 MILES. IF THAT WALK IS NOT RHYTHMIC AND BRISK, IT IS USELESS. BUT THE KEY TREATMENT IN YOUR CASE APPEARS TO BE RELIEVING STRESSES. ANTIDEPRESSANTS WILL NOT HELP YOU MUCH. BEST IS MEDITATION AND BREATHING EXERCISES CALLED PRANAYAM
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SEAN K responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 10:23 pm #
Well I had diabetes when I was pregnant with my 2 last children and it ws because I was overweight obviously I was on insulin 4 times a day for 5 months of my pregnancy which was aw full they told me that I would probably have it as I got older in life , to keep my weight down and to watch my diet.and not eat to much sugar.so weight does effect your sugar levels.
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own knoledge.
Peachy Girl responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 10:35 pm #
Type 2 Diabetes is normally down to a poor diet that is why most people presume this
My nephew has type 1 which means he is insulin dependant so no-one knows why he has it (they know why just don’t know exactly why people get it)
However Steven Redgrave the Olympic Gold medallist (5times) is a type 2 Diabetic and I can’t ever see him as being unhealthy (He does take insulin but that is because he works out so much that tablets or diet would not control it) but if he didn’t work out he would be the same as you
Don’t worry what people think as long as you know the truth
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BOB H responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 10:46 pm #
because they are uneducated about any diseases and rather than researching to find out actual causes and cures they would rather show their ignorance in forums like this by saying things they no nothing about. btw what type of pills do you take?
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anniebell responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 11:25 pm #
There is two types of diabetes
type 1 is insulin dependant and is usually hereditary and normally starts at an earlier age and it is where the pancreas doesn’t work at all and no insulin is produced at all.
type 2 is the type normally associated with obesity and bad diet but can be controlled by healthy diet exercise and tablets. This normally occurs in people over 40 but it can happen before. The pancreas does work but not properly and is known as insulin resistant diabetes’
You can be predisposed to have diabetes especially if close family member has is
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lady lust responded on 08 Oct 2009 at 11:46 pm #
A lot of people just don’t have the right information. I guess they assume that diabetes is cause from sugar because diabetics can’t have sugar like other people can have, but as us diabetics know that not true. I’ve been a diabetic since I was 3yrs old and I was never and over weight child or anything, its just a family history of having diabetes. And theirs different types of diabetes but a lot of people don’t know that either but being over weight can cause diabetes also.
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My Self –
Diabetic for 23yrs
Lisa A responded on 09 Oct 2009 at 12:06 am #
Basically under educated and won’t listen. It is up to us diabetics to teach what really caused diabetes and then the misconceptions will be gone. Good for you.
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Nurse 18 years, wife mom diabetic since pancreas removed 9-22-06