A DNA Link between Diabetes and Obesity

There is no known reason for what causes diabetes.  There are certainly risk factors that 

make the likelihood of you being diagnosed with the disease higher.  One of the only risk 

factors that you have control over is your weight.  If you are obese, the single best thing 

you can do for your health and the prevention of diabetes is to lose weight.  Even in small 

increments, when you shed pounds you are increasing your health benefits. 

These may be easier said than done.  There are new studies that are now showing that 

there is a genetic factor or mutation for people who are obese and have diabetes.  This 

genetic malfunction affects how the bodies use energy and insulin – two key elements in 

the functioning of your body and the cause of diabetes and obesity.

The studies also state that this is not a cause and effect case.  If you carry this defective 

gene you are not guaranteed to be obese or have diabetes.  But the link is there and it can 

be prevented.  You may have to work harder at it than others to maintain a healthy body 

weight and put off diabetes but it can be done.  Discuss with your doctor options and 

ways to prevent or put-off the onset of diabetes.

The gene that researchers have discovered as a precursor to diabetes has been found in 

young children.  It is scary to know that children in their preschool years are being 

diagnosed with obesity and type 2 diabetes due to genetics.  But parents can reduce or 

prevent these things from happening by giving their children healthy lifestyle choices.  

Now that a DNA link has been found, the research can focus on finding a way to fix or 

prevent this from happening at some point in the future.