July 25th, 2008 
Von by Tyrone M. Reyes, M.D.
The terms may differ some experts call it diabesity, while others prefer to call it cardiometabolic disease or metabolic syndrome. But the same problems underlie it all: insulin resistance and obesity, specifically abdominal obesity. According to research presented at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) last June, half of all American adults are now at risk for developing type 2 diabetes (and heart disease) because of the connection between excess abdominal fat and insulin resistance, the precursor to full-blown diabetes. A new study from Canada found that having type 2 diabetes confers a risk of having a heart attack equivalent to prematurely aging 15 years.
Big Belly, Bigger Risk
The culprit is fat cells, particularly those accumulating around your belly. “Fat cells, especially abdominal fat, produce excess hormones that affect insulin uptake by cells and tissues, causing insulin resistance, raising blood pressure, and increasing inflammation throughout the body,” explains Dr. Louis J. Aronne, director of the Comprehensive Weight Management Program at New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center. “Abdominal obesity leads to increased fat in the liver, which also drives insulin resistance. Increased fat in muscle tissue leads to resistance to insulin in these tissues.” (See figure.) (more…)
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