Diabetes Obesity Dialogue
With over 500 delegates from close to 50 countries, it was a testament to the fact that many health care professionals (HCPs) have an interest in these two synergistically entwined chronic diseases.
Fact: 90% of people with Type 2 Diabetes have overweight or obesity2.
For those of you who were unable to make it, here are some key points:
- Both diabetes and obesity both are heterogeneous diseases*
- Synergy exists between both: when a persons’ obesity is treated, we see an improvement in their diabetes and visa versa
- The response to treatment is also heterogeneous i.e. people will respond differently to the same treatment (no surprises here-it happen with response to antibiotics, blood pressure tablets, asthma inhalers, contraceptive pill etc)
The DAWN study#: published in 2006 identified several important gaps in the management of diabetes. Based on the key findings of the DAWN study, the following five goals were confirmed for concerted advocacy and action to improve diabetes care worldwide:
- Promote active self-management
- Enhance psychological care
- Enhance communications between people with diabetes and health care providers.
- Promote communication and coordination between health care professionals.
- Reduce barriers to effective therapy.
It is hoped that the ACTION IO study^ published earlier this year, which has identified several important gaps in the management of obesity from both PwO and HCP point of view, will similarly result in improved health outcomes for those with the lived experience.
*(Meaning the reasons contributing to the development of each of these disease and how they affect an individual will vary)
# The Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes, and Needs (DAWN) Program: A New Approach to Improving Outcomes of Diabetes Care
HCP: Health Care Professional
PwO: person with Obesity
^ Awareness, Care & Treatment In Obesity Management - An International Observation
