The Impact of Obesity on the Development of Type 2 Diabetes in Canadian Youth

Impact of Obesity as a Risk Factor for the Development of Type 2 Diabetes in Canadian Youth: An Argumentative Essay
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Impact of Obesity as a Risk Factor for the Development of Type 2 Diabetes in Canadian Youth: An Argumentative Essay Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the mechanisms that regulate sugar usage are impaired (Koren & Levitsky, 2021). The condition is a result of two interrelated problems in the body. The first problem involves the pancreas not producing sufficient insulin. Insulin is a hormone whose function is to regulate the movement of sugar into the cells. The second problem is that cells respond poorly to insulin activities, and therefore, take in less sugar (Lukács, Kiss-Tóth, Csordás, Sasvári, & Barkai, 2018). While the condition has no cure, it can be managed through a healthy choice of diets, regular exercises, and weight management. Initially, type 2 diabetes was known to be an adult condition. However, a recent increase in the number of children with obesity has led to a significant increase of the disease in the youth population (Twig et al., 2020). Therefore, obesity is a significant risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes in Canadian youth compared to other known risk factors. The paper argues for this assertion by discussing educational and research outcomes on the issue, including opposing views. Obesity and its Prevalence Among Youth in Canada             Obesity is a medical and cosmetic condition that occurs when calorie intake persistently supersedes the calories burned in the body through normal daily activities and physical exercises (Fu, 2019). Excessive calories in the body lead to excessive fat retention, leading to a significant increase in weight. In practical terms, obesity occurs when a person's body mass index equals or exceeds 25 (Fang & Zhou, 2018). The body-mass-index is a tool that utilizes a person’s weight and height (kg/m²) to determine their vulnerability to being overweight or obese (Lukács, Kiss-Tóth, Csordás, Sasvári, & Barkai, 2018). Based on this tool, the healthy range for most adults between 18 and 65 is 18.5 to 24.9.               Based on the definition by Fu (2019), the key aspects or causes of obesity are linked to lifestyle choices and including engagement in physical activities and choice of healthy diets. Physical exercises and engagement in daily activities involving energy expenditure are critical in preventing or falling into obesity. These activities provide opportunities for the burning of calories stored in the body. When the calories are burned, it reduces the amount of fat stored in the body leading to a healthy individual. In essence, a sedentary lifestyle is a crucial contributor to overweight and obesity because calories are retained instead of being used. According to Park et al. (2020), up to a third of the global population, aged 15 years and older, engage in insufficient physical activities. In Canada, the government has raised concerns (Canada_Gov, 2020) that highlight the criticality of a sedentary lifestyle. Among youth, Park et al. (2020) argue that the emergence of video games, online entertainment, addiction to the television, and a significant reduction in safe play spaces, especially in urban areas, are essential contributors to a sedentary lifestyle. In essence, youth are increasingly being forced to stay indoors instead of being out and active.             Further, the choice of diets can also contribute to the development of diabetes. As defined by Fu (2019), obesity occurs when the body takes in more calories than it can utilize based on a person’s level of engagement. In this case, undernutrition is a global problem in the same way overnutrition is a global problem (WHO, 2021). Overnutrition is, therefore, a form of malnutrition arising from excessive nutrients intake. It leads to the accumulation of body fat, which is a threat to positive health outcomes. Some recent studies have linked the global increase in obesity to the emergence and prevalence of fast foods. For instance, Anderson et al. (2011) established that regular consumers of fast food have higher odds (up to 80% higher) of being obese compared to those who consume fast food once per week.             The interaction between choice of diet and sedentary lifestyle is of crucial concern. According to Park et al. (2020), the problem with a sedentary lifestyle is that it can breed a desire for fast solutions when it comes to food. A person who is constantly engaged in video games, for instance, may resort to fast food because it is easily accessible and readily available compared to healthy food choices. In this case, there is a significant intake of nutrients while at the same time, there is a lack of engagement in physical exercises or activities. Koren and Levitsky (2021) argue that it is a perfect combination for obesity risks when this occurs. In Canada, 26.8% of the population over 18 years were obese as of 2018, with an additional 36.3% classified as overweight (Canada_Gov, 2019). Thus, over 63.1% of the Canadian population, over 18, face significant health risks due to weight issues. Among these health issues include type 2 diabetes. The Link Between Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes             Based on the discussions in the previous paragraphs, three core trends may link obesity with type 2 diabetes. The first trend is the increasing prevalence of sedentary lifestyles. The trend has been linked to developments in entertainment-oriented technologies and a reduction in safe play spaces (Park, Moon, Kim, Kong, & Oh, 2020). The second trend is the emergent and prevalence of fast foods. As already mentioned, fast foods have excessive nutrients, including calories, resulting in overnutrition (Anderson, Lyon-Callo, Fussman, Imes, & Rafferty, 2011). The third trend is an increase in the prevalence of obesity. Since studies have shown that a sedentary lifestyle and poor choice of diet may lead to obesity, the first two trends have contributed to the persistence of the third trend: obesity. With the increasing rates of type 2 diabetes, the mentioned trends may play a pivotal role. Several research outcomes support this assertion. For instance, Fang and Zhou (2018) conducted a "…two-sample MR analyses consisting of 7 nucleotide polymorphism as instrumental variables for childhood obesity". Study findings showed that each unit's increase in the log odds of having childhood obesity caused an increase in risks of type 2 diabetes in adults. Additionally, childhood obesity was associated with adult BMI, hip circumference, waist circumference, and waist & hip ratio. However, in this study, Fang and Zhou (2018) cautioned that more reliable outcomes required validation by large-scale intervention studies.  In a different study in Hungary involving 3962 adolescent subjects, Lukács et al. (2017) asked school nurses to complete a screening form collecting demographic data and type 2 diabetes risk factors, among other health conditions. The study showed that 13% of adolescents are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. The higher risk is attributed to lifestyle decisions, including dietary and sedentary lifestyle choices. What stands out between studies by Fang and Zhou (2018) and Lukács et al. (2017) is that lifestyle choices are critical contributors to obesity leading to type 2 diabetes.             In a different yet more comprehensive study, Twig et al. (2020) conducted a nationwide population-based study involving 1,462,236 adolescents between 1996 and 2016. The current paper considers the study comprehensive because of the time it took for observations to be established (20 years) and the number of study participants. According to Faber and Fonseca (2014), large sample sizes provide more accurate mean values and a smaller margin of error. Twig et al. (2020) concluded that adults who were overweight or obese in childhood and adolescence were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. While there are several reasons for this development, Fu (2019) highlighted that the habits picked in childhood and adolescence tend to manifest in adulthood. Thus, habits that lead to a sedentary lifestyle or overreliance on fast foods can quickly be adopted in adulthood. Supporting Fu (2019)'s assertion, research conducted by Movassagh et al. (2017) for over 20 years in Saskatchewan found that childhood eating habits persist into adulthood.             While comparing the studies by Lukács et al. (2017), Fang and Zhou (2018), and Twig et al. (2020), there are significant differences in the methodologies, approaches, and sample sizes utilized to conclude. The similarity, however, is that the studies agree that there is a link between obesity and type 2 diabetes in adulthood. Neither of the studies provides a direct link between obesity and type 2 diabetes in children and adolescence. Fu (2019) tried to provide this link through a survey of existing literature. Two studies highlighted by Fu (2019) help in providing this link. The first study was done by Zeitler (2019) through clinical trials in the United States. Zeitler focused on the results and implications of type 2 diabetes treatment options for adolescents and youth in this study. The study established that overweight children and adolescents have a higher likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes before and into adulthood. Consistent with other studies, Zietler's (2019) literature review found numerous studies linking obesity to a sedentary lifestyle and lousy dietary decisions, which can transform into habits. Essentially, dietary decisions and sedentary lifestyles are risk factors for type 2 diabetes. In the second study highlighted by Fu (2019), Chiavalori et al. (2019) argued that the early life events, including those that occur before, du...