Unit 6
Obesity and Diabetes

Overview

We start this unit by examining obesity: its dangers, its causes, and how it can best be treated. The causes and dietary treatment of diabetes form the subject of Lessons 3, 4, and 5.

Objectives

After completing this unit, you should be able to

1. define “obesity.”
2. discuss the health risks associated with obesity.
3. explain what is now known about the roles of fat, sugar, fibre, and exercise in the causation and prevention of obesity.
4. describe appropriate diet, physical activity, and behaviour changes to promote healthy weight loss.
5. define “diabetes,” and distinguish between the type 1 and type 2 forms of this disease.
6. discuss the role of diet in the causation and control of diabetes, especially type 2.
7. discuss the metabolic syndrome.