Type 2 Diabetes - Glucose Tolerance in Underweight Men!

Overweight and obesity have long been known factors for sugar (glucose) intolerance and Type 2 diabetes, but less is known about being underweight and glucose tolerance. A group of researchers set out to discover what, if any, associations could be made between being underweight and the risk of Type 2 diabetes. Their work was published in the March 2011 edition of the Nutrition Journal.

Three groups of men with low, normal and high weight were included in the study. A test was performed to determine how well their bodies could tolerate taking in sugar. Their sensitivity to insulin was then calculated. Resistance to insulin is the basic cause of Type 2 diabetes, so knowing how sensitive the participants were would indicate their risk of acquiring Type 2 diabetes. It was found that men with lower than normal weight levels were less sensitive to insulin and, therefore, less tolerant of sugar than normal weight individuals, and glucose tolerance went up with weight in the low weight and normal group. Glucose tolerance in the obese volunteers was also poor, compared to the normal weight group. It was therefore concluded glucose tolerance can be impaired not only in obese, but in underweight individuals, and that maintenance of normal weight is important for avoiding Type 2 diabetes.

What is Normal Weight? Normal weight is defined by a body mass index (BMI) of between 18.5 and 24.9. Calculations are based upon height and weight. A simple calculator can be found at nhlbisupport.com.

How to Increase Your Weight Safely: If your BMI falls below 18.5 it is time to increase your weight to a normal healthy level. This can be accomplished much the same way losing weight can... by a combination of diet and exercise.
  • you will want to increase your weight gradually while following an exercise plan to build up muscle rather than fat
  • start by keeping a diary of your usual eating habits for three days
  • then look up the calories for each food you eat and add up how many calories you consume per day
  • calculate the number of calories you need to maintain your present weight by multiplying your present weight by 15 if you are an active man and 12 if you are an active woman. For inactive people, multiply by 13 if you are male and 10 if you are female
Once you know what you need to maintain your present weight, you will know to increase your calorie intake over that amount. Again, there is no need to be in a rush. You can increase your calorie intake by 100 calories a day by having a healthful snack such as an apple or orange every day.

Take a walk, swim, or ride a bicycle at least three times a week to help the extra amount of food turn into muscle tissue. There is no need to eat high protein foods, since fruits and vegetables actually contain some protein. Keep track of your weight gain by stepping onto the scale at least once a week. A measuring tape is also a good indicator of how well your body is shaping up. If you are gaining around your waistline then you are putting on fat and need either to back down on calories or increase your exercise time. Measure the inches around your calves if you are walking or bicycling and your upper arms if you are swimming. Your increasing muscle mass should be firm to the touch.

To discover answers to questions you may be asking yourself about Type 2 Diabetes, click on this link... Natural Diabetes Treatments.

Clicking on this link will help you to learn more about Type 2 Diabetes Solutions... Beverleigh Piepers RN... the Diabetes Detective.

Beverleigh Piepers is the author of this article. This article can be used for reprint on your website provided all the links in the article are complete and active. Copyright (c) 2010 - All Rights Reserved Worldwide
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