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How can abdominal obesity contribute to type 2 diabetes mellitus?

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An anatomical illustration of the human pancreas shows its location near the stomach and intestines, a detailed cross-section highlighting ducts and the islet of Langerhans, and an inset of pancreatic tissue histology with labeled alpha, beta, and delta cells. — diabetes mellitus The islets of Langerhans are responsible for the endocrine function of the pancreas. Each islet contains beta, alpha, delta, and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) cells that are responsible for the secretion of pancreatic hormones. Beta cells secrete insulin, a well-characterized hormone that plays an important role in regulating glucose metabolism.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is strongly associated with obesity, which contributes to the development of the disease primarily through the mechanisms of insulin resistance and insulin deficiency.12

In individuals with obesity, the body often develops insulin resistance, a condition where cells do not respond effectively to insulin. Because insulin is responsible for facilitating the uptake of glucose into tissues, this resistance forces the body to produce higher-than-normal concentrations of insulin to maintain blood glucose levels.13

Over time, some obese individuals become unable to produce a sufficient amount of insulin to overcome this resistance. When the pancreas cannot provide the necessary compensatory increase in insulin, blood glucose concentrations rise, resulting in hyperglycemia—the hallmark of diabetes mellitus. While adipose tissue is the body's primary site for nutrient storage, the metabolic strain associated with excess weight significantly disrupts the pancreas's ability to regulate glucose homeostasis effectively.13