Relationship between genetic susceptibility, obesity and the development of type 2 diabetes In this assignment I will focus on the relationship between genetic susceptibility, obesity and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is caused primarily by autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing β cells of the pancreatic islets, whereas type 2 diabetes results from both impaired insulin secretion and resistance to insulin action (Dougherty and Lister, 2011). Diabetes is a major global health problem, affecting an estimated 285 million people worldwide in 2010. This figure is expected to increase to more than 400 million over the next two decades as a result of population demographic changes, such as aging and urbanization, and lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, and the associated increase in obesity (Holt and Hanley, 2012) Epidemiology is the study of the patterns, causes, and effects of disease in a population. Type 2 diabetes is more common in developed countries. (Fehily, 1999). The population of obese individuals increases rapidly every year (Knight, 1984). In recent decades, diabetes has increased in many parts of the world and this is associated with increasing obesity (Fehily, 1999). Obesity is a condition of being overweight and is clinically defined by a body mass index (BMI). (Prentice and Jebb, 2003). Body mass index is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (NHS Choices, 2012). Desirable BMI is 18.5 to 24.9, overweight is 25 to 29.9, clinical obesity is 30 to 35.9, and obesity morbidity is 36.0 and beyond (World Health Organization, 1998). The massive explosion in obesity rates around the world has been largely responsible for the increase in diabetic... middle of paper... choices by the NHS. 2012 Obesity. Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Obesity/Pages/Introduction.aspxNational Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence 2006. Obesity: Guidance on the prevention, identification, assessment and management of overweight and obesity in adults and children. NICE clinical guideline 43.Prentice, AM and Jebb, SA 2003. Fast food, energy density and obesity: a possible mechanistic link. Obesity Reviews 4(4), 187-194.Tidy, C. 2012. Testing for glucose (sugar) and HbA1c. Available at http://www.patient.co.uk/health/tests-for-glucose-sugar-and-hba1cWhitmore, C. 2010. Type 2 diabetes and obesity in adults. British Journal of Nursing 19(14), 880-886. World Health Organization. 1998. Obesity. Prevent and manage the global epidemic. Report of a WHO consultation on obesity. WHO/NUT/NCD/981, WHO, Geneva. 1998. Word Count: 1201