Weight control: Metabolic and cardiovascular effects

The great majority of patients with diabetes have non-insulin dependent diabetes, and obesity is present in most of these patients. When present, obesity complicates the management of diabetes. Weight control must therefore be an important part of diabetes management. Caloric restriction and consequent weight loss in obese diabetic patients greatly improves their metabolic control because it results in improved insulin action in both the liver and muscle and frequently also results in improved β-cell response to insulin secretory stimuli. In addition, weight control favorably changes cardiovascular disease risk factors such as hypertension and dyslipidemia. Weight control must be achieved through a medically supervised, moderately restricted-calorie diet and an exercise program with long-term maintenance goals.