Today, an increasingly alarming health problem within Thai
society is obesity, which is associated with a variety of
related illnesses, including diabetes. Overweight people, with a
body mass more than 35 kg/sq. meter, are 20-times more likely to
suffer from diabetes than people with normal mass/area
measurements. In addition, those with an enlarged abdominal area
have an increased risk of diabetes, as the accumulation of fat
cells around the waistline and abdomen cause insulin resistance.
A recent study revealed that fat cells in overweight people
release a hormone “adiponectin”, which is insulin resistant.
Diabetic patients have a higher level of this hormone than
people of a similar weight. The level of “adiponectin” in those
of average body mass is lower than in overweight people. In
addition to the “adiponectin” hormone, fat cells also release
other hormones resulting in a higher risk of developing diabetes
and other blood vessel-related illnesses. Overweight people tend
to have a high-calorie/low fiber