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Stemming the obesity–diabetes epidemic: lifestyle changes and therapeutics

Nature Clinical Practice Nephrology volume 4, pages 486–487 (2008)Cite this article

Epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus are occurring worldwide, in both developed and developing countries. Since the risk of type 2 diabetes increases with age, these epidemics are projected to grow as populations age. An unhealthy diet and inactivity are risk factors for both obesity and diabetes, and studies from several countries have shown that relevant lifestyle changes decrease the incidence of diabetes and diabetic complications.1,2,3 In spite of this knowledge and of attempts to implement such changes, the incidence of both diabetes and obesity is increasing.

The consequences of obesity and obesity-associated diabetes are dire.4 In addition to predisposing to diabetes, obesity is a risk factor for hypertension, and for cardiovascular and renal diseases. Diabetes is associated with a two-fold to four-fold increase in the risk of cardiovascular complications and is the major cause of adult blindness and amputations in the US. Diabetes has also emerged as the number one cause of end-stage renal disease in the developed world. Last but not least, the contribution of the obesity–diabetes epidemic to health-care costs throughout the world is substantial.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. RW Schrier is Professor of Medicine and YE Bogaert is Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA.,

    Robert W Schrier & Yolanda E Bogaert

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  1. Robert W Schrier
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  2. Yolanda E Bogaert
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Correspondence to Robert W Schrier.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Schrier, R., Bogaert, Y. Stemming the obesity–diabetes epidemic: lifestyle changes and therapeutics. Nat Rev Nephrol 4, 486–487 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpneph0898

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