Preventing Long-Term Complications of Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, and Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

During the past three decades, obesity and type 2 diabetes have become major public health problems worldwide. Together, these two are the most costly non-communicable diseases affecting most countries. Compared to the escalating management costs associated with their complications, the day-to-day management cost of these two diseases are relatively small. In addition to better management of these to diseases, the key is to not only to prevent people becoming obese and developing type 2 diabetes, but also to prevent associated complications. While implementing mass-scale public education on healthy diet and physical activities (sustainable positive lifestyle changes) on one side, patient-oriented, individualized, cause-driven, preventative approaches are essential for reducing the morbidities and mortalities associated with these two common diseases. Blindly following the standardized care of one-treatment-fits-all model is not only ineffective but also cost more in the long run, comparison to the intensive, individualize care model in preventing long-term complications and reducing management costs.