Obesity And Insulin Resistance: A Ticking Health Time Bomb

By Atira Khalisha Nor Adnan

KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 (Bernama) -- Amid growing public acceptance of diverse body shapes under the ‘body positivity’ movement, medical experts are cautioning that excess weight is far more than a matter of appearance. It may, in fact, be a ticking time bomb for insulin resistance and other serious health complications.

Senior Consultant in Medicine and Endocrinology at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Prof Dr Norlaila Mustafa said individuals with obesity face a significantly higher risk of developing insulin resistance, a condition in which the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin.

She explained that insulin functions like a ‘key’ that unlocks the body’s cells, allowing sugar to enter and be converted into energy. However, in people with insulin resistance, that key no longer works effectively.

“Almost 100 per cent of individuals with obesity experience insulin resistance, but that does not necessarily mean they have diabetes. Insulin resistance is actually the early stage that may eventually lead to diabetes if left uncontrolled.

“Insulin resistance does not occur suddenly. It develops gradually due to lifestyle factors such as unhealthy eating habits, lack of physical activity and weight gain,” she told Bernama during a recent interview at HCTM.

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Dr Norlaila, who is also a lecturer with the Endocrinology Unit of HCTM’s Department of Medicine, said emotional factors such as stress and disrupted sleep patterns are also silent contributors to insulin resistance.

According to her, stress increases cortisol hormone levels, which interfere with the body’s metabolism, while insufficient sleep contributes to weight gain.

“More worrying is that insulin resistance can also trigger other complications such as heart disease and high blood pressure if not properly managed,” she said.

She noted that Malaysia remains among the countries with the highest obesity and diabetes rates in Southeast Asia, with the problem increasingly affecting younger individuals.

She added that even people with normal or slim body weight may still develop insulin resistance due to factors such as genetics.

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“Processed foods such as nuggets, when consumed frequently, are among the contributors to this problem because processed foods contain high levels of fat, and fat cells produce hormones that lead to insulin resistance,” she explained.

Touching on early symptoms, Dr Norlaila said insulin resistance is often difficult to detect because it usually develops without obvious or painful symptoms.

However, she pointed to one physical sign that is frequently misunderstood by the public — darkened patches of skin around the neck, elbows, knuckles or body folds, a condition known as acanthosis nigricans.

“Many people assume it is dirt or poor hygiene, but it is actually one of the signs of insulin resistance. We commonly see it among individuals who are overweight,” she said.

To address the issue, she stressed the importance of returning to the basics of a healthy lifestyle, including engaging in simple physical activities such as brisk walking for at least 30 minutes daily.

“Above all, we must practise a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise and proper nutrition. It does not mean you only need to eat vegetables, but try to reduce foods high in sugar, salt and processed ingredients,” she said.

-- BERNAMA