The Importance of Weight Management in Type 2 Diabetes

More than 37 million Americans — about 11% of the population — have been diagnosed with diabetes, a chronic disease that interferes with how your body uses blood sugar (glucose) to nourish your cells. 

About 90%-95% of these people have Type 2 diabetes, a metabolic disease more likely to affect those who are overweight.

If you’re overweight, losing those extra pounds can play an important role in helping you manage diabetes more effectively. And if you’re at risk for diabetes but haven’t been diagnosed, weight management could help prevent the development of the disease in the future.

As leaders in obesity medicine for patients in and around Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada, Dana Trippi, DO, and the team here at Premier Physicians Weight Loss and Wellness offer comprehensive diabetic education and management plans tailored to each person’s needs. 

If you have diabetes or are at risk for the disease, here’s how we can help.

Diabetes: Why weight matters

Researchers know that people who are overweight or obese have a far higher chance of developing diabetes than someone who maintains a healthy weight. But the link between weight and diabetes isn’t clearly understood.

What scientists do know is being overweight or obese can interfere with the production of hormones, including insulin, the hormone that helps stabilize and control your glucose levels.

Extra weight may affect how much insulin your body produces and make it harder for your body to use insulin, a condition called insulin resistance. 

Insulin resistance allows glucose to build up, dramatically increasing your risk of diabetes. Unfortunately, it can also lead to weight gain, creating a cycle that can be hard to break without medical help. 

Carrying extra weight also makes it harder to exercise and stay physically active, leading to a sedentary lifestyle that also increases the risk of developing diabetes.

Diabetes education: How it works

Our team believes that one of the best ways to manage diabetes is to give patients the tools they need to play a more proactive role in their care. 

Diabetes education focuses on helping patients understand the healthy steps they can take while providing custom treatment aimed at monitoring their condition and adjusting treatments as needed.

We help patients understand the importance of meal planning and other dietary decisions in reducing insulin resistance, managing weight, and decreasing the risk of serious diabetes complications. 

Regular weigh-ins keep weight management plans on track, along with dietary supplements and anti-obesity medications, as needed.

During each visit, we check your weight and vital signs, then discuss your treatment plan and suggest changes to optimize your results. We may order blood tests or other diagnostic evaluations.

We may also offer other help, like providing resources to help you manage stress, another risk factor for diabetes complications.

Most importantly, your diabetes education and management plan reflects your needs, lifestyle, and health history. You can feel confident you’ll be rewarded with better health and wellness.

Manage your diabetes — and enjoy better health too

If you have Type 2 diabetes, managing your weight is one of the best ways to avoid complications like heart disease, kidney failure, vision loss, and limb amputation. 

Losing even a modest amount of weight can help improve your glucose and insulin levels, and it can help your health in many other ways too. 

Ready to play a more proactive role in managing your Type 2 diabetes? Dr. Trippi and her team — Jonathan Tyler, PA-C, Erin Morledge, APRN, Sara Roberts, APRN, Ariana Mancilla, APRN, Michael Mariano, APRN, Katie Visman, DNP — can help. 

To learn more about the diabetes education services we offer, book an appointment at Premier Physicians Weight Loss and Wellness online or over the phone today.