: Why do people say that obesity leads to diabetes, But all diabetic people I know are really thin?
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There are two different types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2.
The first thing that you need to understand is insulin. Insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas. It acts like a “key” to unlock your body’s cells and let glucose (sugar) inside.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that leaves your body unable to *make* insulin.
Type 2 is when the cells in your body are *resistant* to normal insulin levels.
Type 1 is the type you’ve most likely encountered (especially if you’re in school/young). Before the 1980s, type 2 diabetes was nearly unheard of in children/teens. Since the obesity epidemic, numbers have increased for all age groups.
If a person is obese, their blood has high levels of glucose in it from (hypothetically) overeating or eating foods high in sugar/carbohydrates. A lot more goes into obesity, such as hormone levels, etc., but we’ll keep it simple.
All that sugar in the blood means the pancreas is CONSTANTLY dumping insulin, and the “keyholes” in the cells become less receptive to opening for the “keys” (insulin).
Type 1 is always insulin-dependent. Meaning they have to give themselves injections of insulin since their bodies don’t make it. But the FUNCTION of insulin is still normal inside their body.
Type 2 is more complex. Some are insulin-dependent, but others manage through diet/oral medication that focuses on lowering blood glucose and overall insulin levels.
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