[SugaryOne]

I know this might sound really bad, but I thought I should put this up here as an interesting discussion topic. Before I begin, I want to say that these are my opinons only. I do not wish to debate anyone, I am simply asking for your own opinons on the subject. I'm sorry if I offend anyone.

Now, I know we're all here because we either have diabetes or someone we love has this disease. But when I see teenagers my age getting type 2 as a result of being obese from lifestyle choices and even young adults and adults getting it as a result of obesity from lifestyle choices, it makes me a bit angry. I always thought that if I had a chance to prevent having diabetes, I would take it. Not having a choice in the matter is what I'm so disappointed about. I can understand those who are obese from chemical imbalances, something in their body beyond their control. It really makes me sad to see this many teenagers popping up with type 2. On the other hand, I know we as humans sometimes indulge in things that aren't nessecarily healthy to us. Tanning beds, illegal drugs, excessive amounts of alcohol, et cetera.

What are your takes on the matter?

[DeusXM]

T2 is really a myriad of conditions with the same symptoms - I'm pretty convinced that there are people with a genetic inability to adequately use their insulin, as well as those who've damaged their bodies in such a way to inhibit their ability to use it.

Most over-40s who are dxed with T2 are probably more genetically inclined, although granted there are a few who have the condition simply because they didn't pay attention to their health. As for teenagers with the condition though...

Leaving aside MODY (which is recognised to be gentically caused and is unrelated to general health factors), when you see someone with a BMI over 30, who's under 30, and they have diabetes, then I'm sorry but I've got no sympathy whatseover. If they're a kid, I might, because it's quite obvious then that their parents don't have a clue when to say no to their child.

I'd be very wary about labelling all T2s as having the condition through their own fault though. Although I'd still say that majority of T2 cases are caused by lifestyle (there's a reason why the nations with highest rates of obesity have the highest incidences of T2), there's still a substantial minority of cases that are genetically caused (likewise, there's a reason why blacks, Native Americans, Indians and Pakistanis have overall higher rates of T2 than say, whites). I also do have a little sympathy for those who've made silly lifestyle choices but are aware of them. I mean, come on. If you drink 8 cans of Coke a day then quite clearly you do need to sort yourself out.

What really gets me is that are plenty of things that people overindulge in which could be just as enjoyable and not damaging to health if people just exercised a little self-control. Tanning, coffee, Coke, alcohol, fatty foods...all these things are absolutely fine and pose little to no threat to your health until you start doing them all to excess. It's not exactly rocket science.

[vrocco1]

I would not touch this one with a ten foot (3.048 meter) pole.

[Cyborg]

I will...

Raising kids and dealing with my diabetes, I have come to realize how much influence the outside world and PARENTS have on the eating habits and behaviours of children. As these children grow up into adults, I think many of them pass these same behaviours down to their children in a vicious cycle.

I see how my parents fed me wrong as a child. I see how I was forced to clean my plate. How I was offered too many "bad" foods, fast foods, etc. As a responsible parent, I am doing everything I possibly can to stop the cycle and not have my kids learn poor eating behaviours.

Deus is right about obesity not being the only cause of type 2 diabetes. And the key that he pointed out was to take everything in moderation. Teach your kids that too. Don't prohibit them entirely from the "bad" foods or they will go on binges when they have the freedom to do so and the lack of will power to stop them. I think the same applies to all of us.

Now there are some on the forum that think obesity is a side effect of type 2 diabetes. Personally, I do not agree. I've never seen any medical evidence of this and I've never heard this theory before.

My 2 cents...

[DeusXM]

It's also worth me pointing out that although I don't have any sympathy for people who've developed T2 through their own selfish life-choices, I have sympathy for everyone here on this forum regardless of how their diabetes was caused - because everyone on this forum knows about having to take responsibility for themselves and they're all prepared to do so.

That current sense of responsibility cancels out any previous youthful indisrections.

[notme]

I have a little bit of a different take on the whole thing. I have often wondered if some people with Type 2 didn't become obese because their bodies were not using insulin correctly....their blood sugar was high so their bodies produced more insulin trying to correct the problem. As we all know, insulin is a fat producing hormone. Type 2's many times produce lots of insulin....more than the average person. Over the years this could produce a lot of fat.

Is there a chance this is the "What came first, the chicken or the egg" syndrome?

Personally, I don't care what caused it. Diabetes sucks no matter what the cause. If someone gets lung cancer because the smoked in the past, it would still be awful. (I know this becaues my Dad got lung cancer 40 years after he quit).

[seacomp]

Originally Posted by notme

I have a little bit of a different take on the whole thing. I have often wondered if some people with Type 2 didn't become obese because their bodies were not using insulin correctly....their blood sugar was high so their bodies produced more insulin trying to correct the problem. As we all know, insulin is a fat producing hormone. Type 2's many times produce lots of insulin....more than the average person. Over the years this could produce a lot of fat.

That's pretty much my take on the question (of course, I'm a T2 ) with the additional factor that body fat increases insulin resistance, so creates a self-feeding cycle.

[duck]

It's trying to kill all of us. Let's get it first.

[Erin]

I have all the sympathy in the world for ALL people with diabetes, regardless of what causes it. We all do / have done things in the past that could harm us. Raise your hand if you've never had an alcoholic beverage, taken an illicit drug, had a one night stand, driven over the speed limit, eaten a rare steak, smoked a cigarette, or talked on the phone during a lightning storm (among the zillions of other things that could kill you if the circumstances permitted it) Let those among us without sin cast the first stone.

My beef with T2 is the fact that language tosses us all into the same box. I HATE the fact that the older I get the more people assume I have T2. (Which makes very little sense, given my diet, lifestyle, and body type, not to mention age, weight, and BMI)

I don't think anyone "deserves" diabetes, but I really wish we weren't all painted with the same brush. Living with and managing T1 is a very different ballgame from living with and managing T2. One is not necessarily any easier or better than the other, but they are quite different.

[Cyborg]

I don't have that many hands!

[stella117]

I wouldn't say I have disdain. Although for many people this is genetic, obesity and diabetes are becoming epidemic in the US due to poor lifestyle choices and that does affect all of us in higher health care premiums, etc. I've been dealing with my health care plan and the CS rep, who has been really nice and helpful, made a comment that maybe I wasn't being covered as well as I should be because the insurance company perceives this to be a lifestyle disease where changes in diet and exercise are warranted more than pills and prescriptions.

I was like hey honey--I did not CHOOSE to have my pancreas be attacked and destroyed by my immune system! And I'm sure that many people think that way. In the "olden days" diabetes was fat old men who ate and drank and smoked too much and developed "gout"--whatever the heck that is.

All in all, I'd rather be type 1 than type 2 because it means although I am insulin dependent, I am not insulin resistant. And I can still eat carbs as long as I cover them with insulin!

[byu barry]

Lean type 2 here. BMI 22. DXed at 49 although the Doc said I had probably had it for a while. It must have been all the **** raising in my earlier days.

[liz32]

I guess I'll put my two cents in as well. I have noticed that there is a subtle amount of the attitude (here in this forum as well as in society), that all T2's are obese and unfit: that we all braught this on our own selves and that we are to blame. While I'm sure the extra 40-50 pounds I'm carrying as a result of 2 pregnancies (both of which involved gestational diabetes) doesn't help me any and that is certainly my responsibility. Like most people I've been putting off what needed to be done. However, people all over do things to harm themselve every day. While you have a disdain for people whom you've decided as at fault, you have no idea what has transpired in their life to bring them to this spot. Looking back, maybe I shouldn't have had kids....my health was perfect until then. It took a big toll on my body in more ways than just diabetes. But I still wouldn't give up my kids! I think that we need to realize that people aren't perfect and that we don't have to right to play judge. I personally find it offensive when new T2's come on and say how surprised they are at thier diagnosis, becuase they are fit and not overweight. I know of plenty of obese people who don't have diabetes and plenty of healthy, super fit people who do! Diabetes comes from many sources. Who are we to judge the cause.
Liz

[seacomp]

Originally Posted by liz32

Looking back, maybe I shouldn't have had kids....my health was perfect until then. It took a big toll on my body in more ways than just diabetes.

In general, it's a very good idea for women to have children, at least, if we, the human race, are to have a future. I am appreciative.

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by liz32

I know of plenty of obese people who don't have diabetes and plenty of healthy, super fit people who do!

My brother-in-law is probably 400-500 lbs. and does not have diabetes.