Dr. Fran Kaufman:
Dr. Lisa's Interview
Aired on Superstation WGN
Saturday, August 6 and November 26, 2005
Show 221
"What is the link between diabetes and obesity?" asks Dr. Lisa.
"Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. It doesn't work properly when a person is obese. They become resistant and develop high blood sugar," says Dr. Fran Kaufman author of Diabesity. "People have confusion over whether diabetes has to do with personal choice or environment. It has to do with both, and also genes. Our genes are in conflict with the environment. Nearly 60 percent of adults and 30 percent of children are obese and the numbers keep rising. Obesity causes not just diabetes, but also asthma, cancers and cardiovascular diseases," says Dr. Kaufman.
"What is the link between eating habits and diabetes management?" ask Dr. Lisa.
"It is critically important to make healthy choices around activity and nutrition and healthy food portions spread throughout the day. You need to practice a blood sugar balancing act which is a combination of medication, foods and activity. We need to keep ourselves healthy and model what's important for our kids," says Dr. Fran Kaufman.