Research

Hormonal

Obesity triggers insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes through chronic low-grade inflammation driven by visceral adipose tissue expansion, which releases pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) and activates Toll-like receptors (TLR4) to interfere with insulin signaling.

Focus on reducing visceral fat through sustainable lifestyle changes, as this tissue actively drives inflammation and insulin resistance. Strategies should aim to lower systemic inflammation, potentially through dietary patterns that reduce saturated fats and improve gut health, as these are linked to the inflammatory response described.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Obesity might cause chronic and low-grade inflammation that is involved in T2DM... visceral adipocytes... secrete... inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrotic factor- α (TNF-α)) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)... These pro-inflammatory cytokines activate numerous kinases that interfere with insulin signaling and insulin action in adipocytes and hepatocyte.
Yohannes Tsegyie Wondmkun · Diabetes Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity · 2020

Why this rating

The paper is a review citing multiple human and animal studies, but lacks a single definitive clinical trial establishing causality in humans.

Source

<p>Obesity, Insulin Resistance, and Type 2 Diabetes: Associations and Therapeutic Implications</p>

Yohannes Tsegyie Wondmkun · Diabetes Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity · 2020

DOI 10.2147/dmso.s275898

narrative_reviewCited 680×
Read the paper
DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →