Losing 21 kg prevents diabetes complications

Ms. Truong Diep Phuong is a person who easily gains weight. Recently, her knee joint ached. She went to the doctor and discovered that her blood sugar was 17.5 mmol/L, four times higher than normal. A doctor at a hospital recommended losing weight to avoid blood sugar complications that affect the heart, eyes, and feet.

At the time of examination at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Ms. Phuong was 1.76 m tall, weighed 114 kg, BMI 36.8 kg/m2. On January 18, Dr. Lam Van Hoang, Director of the Center for Weight Control and Obesity Treatment, said she had stage 2 obesity, metabolic disorder, type 2 diabetes, glycemic index. Average blood pressure in three months is 10.8%, double normal.

Dr. Hoang explains that one of the biggest impacts of obesity is increased insulin resistance. This is the main factor that makes it difficult to control blood sugar in people with diabetes. Patients need to use higher doses of insulin to respond to treatment. Weight gain reduces the effectiveness of diabetes medications, promotes the development of cardiovascular complications, high blood pressure, kidney disease, nerve damage…

Excess fat also puts great pressure on the musculoskeletal system, especially the knee joint, causing the joint cartilage to erode quickly. “Weight loss is the optimal solution, contributing to solving the above conditions for Ms. Phuong,” said Dr. Hoang, adding that she needs to lose 5-10% of her body weight to control blood sugar, combined with treatment. diabetes to achieve the “2 in 1” goal.

Doctors adjust blood sugar control medications and injections for weight loss every day. Weight loss pills work to reduce hunger and appetite, helping patients eat less. In the first month, Ms. Phuong lost 2 kg, her blood sugar and blood pressure remained stable at a stable level. In the next stage, her diet was adjusted to reduce starch, limit sweets and oils, and increase light exercise.

After 10 months, the patient lost 21 kg, BMI decreased to 30 kg/m2, HbA1c was below 7%, close to normal, blood sugar measured at home was more stable. Blood lipid indices were also significantly improved. Her goal is to lose 65-71 kg.

According to Dr. Hoang, weight plays an important role in controlling and preventing type 2 diabetes. People with diabetes should maintain a BMI of 18.5 kg/m2 to less than 23 kg/m2 and a waist circumference for women below 80 cm, 90 cm for men. A healthy weight not only helps control blood sugar better but also reduces the risk of diseases related to being overweight such as high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and knee osteoarthritis.