What is Diabesity and Why Does it Matter?

Introduction

With so much screen time, prolonged sitting, and irresistible fast food, diabesity is a silent health crisis that is spreading quickly. Despite the term's newness, its effects are prevalent in Pakistan.

When obesity and type 2 diabetes coexist, they may be more harmful to health and more difficult to treat. Where the prevalence of obesity and diabetes are rising, educating yourself about diabetes should not be an option.

What is Diabesity?

Diabesity is the combination of the two words "obesity" and "diabetes". People who are overweight or chubby are also at a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes, this is a medical reality.

When we are consuming more than what we can burn, especially if we are consuming processed food and sugar, our body starts to store it as fat. It is one of the lead causes of insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a condition where cells in the body stops responding to insulin. As a result, blood sugar levels increase, leading to type 2 diabetes.

More than 33 million adults in Pakistan have diabetes and more than 50% of urban adults are overweight or obese.

Why is Diabesity Important?

Pakistan is facing a health crisis and diabetes is more than just a medical term. So, for that, it is crucial:

• Insulin resistance caused by obesity makes it more difficult for the body to control blood sugar levels.
• Many people wait for treatment or are not diagnosed, which causes the illness to worsen covertly.

Women are more impacted due to the hormonal change. In other words, you cannot treat obesity without monitoring blood sugar levels, and you cannot treat diabetes without addressing weight.

How is Diabesity Treated?

Diabetes can be effectively managed with a combination of dietary changes and medical supervision, despite the lack of a standardized treatment. What works is this:

1. Lifestyle Changes

The first step is to establish healthier daily routines:

Nutrition

Give whole foods: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and healthy fats a priority. Avoid fried foods, sugary drinks, and processed snacks. Use portion control and meal timing to prevent blood sugar spikes.

Physical Activity

Get in at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. This could be dancing, taking a walk, or practicing yoga at home. Exercise improves insulin sensitivity and aids in weight loss.

Sleep

Inadequate sleep raises cortisol levels and insulin resistance. Try to get 7 or 9 hours.

2. Psychosocial and Emotional Support

A lot of people with diabetes also have trouble with:

• Issues with how you see your body
• Not feeling good about yourself
• Problems with mental health

It can be easier to get help if you talk to diabetes educators, counselors, and nutritionists. There are offline and online support groups in Pakistan.

Why Diabesity is Growing in Pakistan?

Pakistan continues to face a growing diabesity crisis, influenced by a combination of cultural habits, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors that are often overlooked. Currently, Pakistan ranks 4th globally in diabetes prevalence (IDF Diabetes Atlas, latest edition). The rise in diabesity is not simply due to overeating or lack of exercise; it is also driven by changing dietary patterns, increased consumption of processed foods, reduced physical activity, and limited awareness about preventive health.

Below, we list the main reasons for this health crisis.

The Obesogenic Desi Diet: An Overeating Culture

Despite its flavor, traditional South Asian cuisine is a nutritional minefield. The typical Pakistani plate includes:

• White rice, white flour, naan, and parathas are examples of refined carbohydrates.
• Deep-fried foods: puris, pakoras, and samosas
• Sugary drinks include carbonated drinks, rooh afza, and chai (which can contain up to three teaspoons of sugar per cup).
• High in saturated fats: butter, red meat, and banaspati ghee

Celebration meals are calorie bombs, and portion control is rarely practiced. Fast food and highly processed meals have become more commonplace in urban diets due to an increasing reliance on food delivery apps like Foodpanda.

3. A National Blind Spot: Health Education & Misinformation

In Pakistani school curriculum, health science is rarely taught. Most students never learn how their bodies process sugar or why belly fat matters.

• Schools do not offer structured nutrition education.
• Natural sugars don't count, Only fat people get diabetes, and Insulin is addictive are common misconceptions.
• Stigma attached to seeking help, especially for overweight teenagers and young girls.

Without early awareness, the majority of people are diagnosed late, often after complications such as blurred vision, foot ulcers, or extreme fatigue.

4. The cost of diabetes is higher than that of medical care

In Pakistan, access to high-quality care is extremely unequal, despite the fact that diabetes requires long-term, multifaceted management.

As noted by The Express Tribune, Pakistan's national health budget allocates very little to non-communicable diseases, despite their rising toll.

Unlike in the UK or the UAE, there are no subsidies for diabetic food items or GLP-1 medications.

Little Actions Lead to Significant Change

You don't have to completely change your life all at once. Begin with modest, long-term actions:

• Replace sugary beverages with sugar-free lassi or lemon water.
• After dinner, take a 15–20 minute walk.
• If diabetes runs in your family, consult a physician.

Conclusion: Treating Diabesity is a Lifelong Commitment But You Don't Have to Do It Alone

Diabetes is treatable and even preventable with the right care, despite the fact that it may seem overwhelming. Instead of just managing two conditions, think of it as taking back control of your life.

Whether you have a diagnosis, are at risk, or just want to lead a healthier lifestyle, awareness is the first step in your journey. Now is the perfect time to make an appointment with one of our affiliated doctors and dietitians.

References

• International Diabetes Federation. (2021). IDF Diabetes Atlas, 10th Edition.
• World Health Organization. (2024). Obesity and overweight.
• National Institute of Health Pakistan. (2017). Non-Communicable Diseases Risk Factor Survey Pakistan (Steps Survey).
• Papas, M. A., Alberg, A. J., Ewing, R., Helzlsouer, K. J., Gary, T. L., & Klassen, A. C. (2007). The built environment and obesity. Epidemiologic Reviews, 29(1), 129–143.
• Bray, G. A., Kim, K. K., & Wilding, J. P. H. (2017). Obesity: a chronic relapsing progressive disease process. JAMA, 317(10), 1017–1018.
• American Diabetes Association. (2024). Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2024. Diabetes Care, 47(Supplement_1).
• Pak Pharma Guide. (2024). Ozempic Availability, Cost, and Usage in Pakistan.
• Yasmeen, R., & Parveen, F. (2020). Nutritional trends and obesity in Pakistani children and adolescents. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 36(4), 790–794.
• Raza, A., & Ali, N. (2022). Urbanization and lifestyle diseases: The impact of sedentary behavior in South Asian cities. British Medical Journal, BMJ Global Health.
• The Express Tribune. (2024). Health Budget 2024: Where is the money going?
• UNICEF Pakistan. (2023). Adolescent Health and Nutrition in Pakistan: Current Status and Challenges.