Diabetes Prevention— If you think that your weight is normal and you cannot have diabetes, then you have to change your perception. An international medical study has revealed that having excess fat in the body along with weak muscles (Sarcopenic Obesity) increases the risk of type 2 diabetes by more than three and a half times. Health experts in Delhi-NCR have advised local citizens to focus on muscle strengthening rather than just weight loss.

Diabetes Prevention: Doctors of New Delhi warned, not just weight, the risk increases by 3.5 times due to muscle damage.

Diabetes Care Journal report: Challenging common misconceptions about weight

The figures of this research published in the famous medical journal “Diabetes Care” are shocking. Sarcopenic obesity is excessive accumulation of fat in the body as well as reduced skeletal muscle mass and function. According to the study, patients suffering from this condition were found to have a 19% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those who were only obese. At the same time, compared to people who have normal weight but have extremely weak muscles (sarcopenia), this risk was 91% higher.

For this research, data from 4,79,607 people from UK Biobank who did not initially have diabetes were analyzed. Researchers monitored these people for more than 14 years. During this long period, about 32,950 people became infected with diabetes. Experts say that this situation is increasing rapidly in urban areas of developing countries like India, where people are losing weight in the gym, but are losing their muscles due to not getting proper protein diet.

Statement from the lead researcher and local experts

According to senior doctors at AIIMS New Delhi, ‘thin-fat’ phenotype is being seen in every third patient coming to the local OPD. This means that externally the patient appears to be thin or of normal weight, but internally his fat percentage is high and muscle mass is very low.

Impact on citizens: What changes are needed now?

After this report, local health departments and fitness centers need to change their guidelines. If you are trying to lose weight only by doing cardio (running or cycling), be careful. Doctors have recommended making three main changes for the city’s citizens:

• Do not rely only on the weighing machine, go to a good diagnostic center and get a body composition analysis (BCA) done so that the exact fat and muscle mass can be known.
• Do strength training or resistance exercises (weight-lifting exercises) at least twice a week to keep your muscles strong.
• Reduce the amount of carbohydrates in your daily diet and include locally available protein sources like pulses, paneer, tofu and eggs.