Drawing lines in the sand: The growing threat of obesity in type 1 diabetes

Abstract

In this editorial, we comment on the article by Zeng et al published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Diabetes in 2024. We focus on the epidemiological, pathophysiological, and clinical interplay between obesity and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Overweight and obesity represent a growing threat for modern societies and people with T1DM could not be an exception to this rule. Chronic exogenous insulin administration, genetic and epigenetic factors, and psy-chosocial and behavioral parameters, along with the modern way of life that incorporates unhealthy eating patterns and physical inactivity, set the stage for the increasing obesity rates in T1DM. As our knowledge of the underlying mechanisms that lead to the development of obesity and hyperglycemia expands, it becomes clear that there are overlap zones in the pathophysiology of the two main types of diabetes. Stereotypes regarding strict dividing lines between “autoimmune” and “metabolic” phenotypes increase the risk of trapping physicians into ineffective therapeutic approaches, instead of individualized diabetes care. In this context, the use of adjuncts to insulin therapy that have the potential to alleviate cardiorenal risk and decrease body weight can reduce the burden of obesity in patients with T1DM.

Keywords: Obesity; Overweight; Type 1 diabetes; Metabolic syndrome

Core Tip: Overweight and obesity rates increase in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus as a result of social, environmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors. Increased awareness from healthcare teams and a personalized approach that incorporates behavioral, lifestyle, and pharmacological interventions are needed to prevent aggravation of glycemic control and obesity-related complications in this group of patients with diabetes.