Obesity is the most important risk factor of type 2 diabetes. More than 90 percent of patients with type 2 diabetes overweight.

Type 2 diabetes become a global epidemic. There are currently 120-140 million people around the world. World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the incidence would be 300 million in 2025.

According to WHO, the number of type 2 diabetes in Indonesia will increase 250 percent, from five million (1995), to 25 million in 2005. Diab Care Research Asia 2001 in several health center five big cities in Indonesia show, 58 percent of patients with type 2 diabetes are overweight.

Obesity is a condition where the body is abnormal accumulation of fat in adipose tissue to the level of damage the health. Many ways to measure obesity. The most practical is the measurement of Body Mass Index (BMI), ie weight (kg) divided by height (meters) squared. If the BMI of more than 25 means overweight. Called obesity when BMI of more than 30.

Problems and challenges in the management of diabetic patients with obesity to be one topic of the Congress of ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies (AFES) XI in Bali, last November.

According to Indonesian Chairman of the Endocrinology Society (Perkeni) is also President of AFES Dr. Soegondo SpPD Sidartawan-TO, increase the incidence of type 2 diabetes in Indonesia, mostly caused by unhealthy eating patterns, lifestyle and age of life expectancy.

“About 35 percent of patients with type 2 diabetes Indonesia overweight or obesity in the abdomen. As weight gain, body more or less sensitive to the effects of insulin. As a result, the pancreas will produce more insulin. When the ability of the pancreas to produce insulin can not compensate for insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes occurs indicated high levels of blood sugar, “explained Sidartawan.

Diatbets type 2 can not be treated until cured, only managed / controlled. Complications of Type 2 diabetes can damage many organs, such as eyes, kidneys, brain, heart, and can be fatal.

According to Professor Luc Van Gaal, endocrinology expert from Belgium who melakukaan research weight loss management, use of orlistat (generic name) in patients treated with metformin and insulin to lose weight three times greater than with diet alone.

Source: Kompas, Monday, December 24, 2001