Having excess weight, especially around the tummy area, can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Managing your weight can be a treatment for type 2 diabetes.
Benefits of managing your weight
If you have excess weight, weight management may help to lower your:
- blood glucose
- blood pressure
- cholesterol
If you have type 2 diabetes, losing 5 to 10% of your body weight brings a lot of positive health benefits for diabetes. Losing even 3% of your body weight can improve your blood glucose levels.
Lifestyle changes to help manage your weight can also help to:
- improve your quality of life
- improve your fitness levels
- reduce your risk of developing other weight-related health problems
Managing your weight may also delay or reduce your need for diabetes medicines.
For some people, losing some excess weight may put their diabetes into remission.
Check if your weight may affect your health
Your doctor can work with you to assess if your weight may affect your health.
Your doctor will assess your:
- body mass index (BMI)
- waist size
- weight-related health problems
Body mass index (BMI)
Your BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared.
You have an increased risk of your weight affecting your blood glucose levels if your BMI is:
- over 23.5 and you have a South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean family background
- over 25 and you have a White European or another family background
You have a higher risk of obesity if your BMI is:
- over 27.5 and you have a South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean family background
- over 30 and you have a White European or another family background
Learn more about diagnosing obesity
Check your waist size
It is useful to know if you have excess weight around the tummy area, even if your BMI is less than 25.
The amount of weight you have around your tummy can affect your:
- hormones
- immune system
- risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes
Having excess weight (body fat) around your tummy can affect the way your pancreas and liver work, and can increase your blood glucose levels.
Your doctor or nurse may ask to measure your waist. This is to see where you carry your weight and to check your risk of developing health problems linked to having excess weight.
Learn how to measure your waist circumference - safefood.net
Your risk of developing health problems increases if:
- you are a woman and your waist size is 80cm (31.5 inches) or more
- you are a man and your waist size is 94cm (37 inches) or more
- you are a man of Asian descent and your waist size is 90cm (35 inches) or more
If your weight is affecting your health
If you feel your weight or waist size may be affecting your health, there may be things you can do to manage this.
Making small healthy changes can improve your blood glucose levels and help you feel better.
Your weight may be affected by many different factors. Many of these may not be in your control to change. These are things such as your genetics or certain medical conditions.
Things you can do
You may be able to support managing your weight by:
- getting good quality sleep
- eating well - eat regular meals, snacks, and nutritious foods. Keeping a note of what you eat and drink for a day or two can help identify changes you could make.
- being active - aim to do at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week, and try to break up long periods of time spent sitting
- looking after your mental health
- managing other health conditions
Managing your weight over time can be challenging.
When you lose weight, your appetite and hunger hormones can change. You may feel hungrier. This can sometimes make it harder to maintain a lower weight.
Talk to your doctor if you feel your weight is affecting your health. You can work with them on a plan that suits you and your life.
Learn more about treatments that can help
Diabetes remission
Diabetes remission means that your blood glucose levels fall below the diabetes range without needing to take any diabetes medicines. It is when your HbA1c stays below 48mmol/mol for at least 3 months after stopping your diabetes medicine.
If you have excess body weight, you are more likely to have diabetes remission if you:
- have had diabetes for a shorter period of time
- lose a larger amount of excess weight
Studies show you are most likely to have diabetes remission if you lose 15kg (2st 5lbs). But losing any excess weight can bring possible health improvements and reduce your blood glucose levels.
Your blood glucose levels can move back into the diabetes range over time. So it's important you continue to have regular check-ups with your doctor, nurse or diabetes team. Moving back into the diabetes range is more likely if you regain weight.
