How important a risk factor is obesity?
The most important nutrition principle for individuals with NIDDM is weight management. Approximately 80 percent of NIDDM diabetics are overweight. Obesity can result in insulin resistance, a major characteristic of diabetes. Therefore, achieving and maintaining an ideal body weight is important for both preventing and managing diabetes. Can diet and exercise help prevent obesity and diabetes? A low-fat, high-fiber diet containing an appropriate level of calories along with a regular exercise program not only contributes to an ideal body weight, but lowers the risk of developing NIDDM. Those with NIDDM, even if taking insulin, should, in most cases, eat no more than three times a day to prevent peaks of elevated blood sugar. They should, again, in most cases, avoid snacking or even drinking juice between meals or at bedtimes. Exercise lowers blood sugar levels and reduces the risk of getting diabetes. When diet, exercise, and weight management do not produce the desired results alone,
