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...