The global prevalence of obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes continues to rise in a pathophysiological continuum. This phenomenon is mainly driven by the adoption of unhealthy lifestyles leading to increasing rates of obesity, which is recognized as the main modifiable risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Nonetheless, genetic predisposition is another key and non-modifiable risk factor for all insulin resistance, obesity and type 2 diabetes, which should be acknowledged when approaching this global health issue both clinically and for research purposes.
The effects of insulin resistance and obesity go far beyond the impairment of glucose metabolism. As a matter of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality for individuals with diabetes, representing a major burden for the whole society. Multiple mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis among people with insulin resistance and diabetes and a multifactorial approach is needed. Of note, vascular complications of diabetes potentially affect the whole organism, with several and multiorgan sequelae. Among these, diabetic foot is one of the most common complications in people with diabetes and can lead to serious infections and even amputations if not properly managed.
This digital learning journey aims at covering the actual gaps in knowledge in terms of epidemiology, risk factors and therapeutic strategies to prevent and tackle insulin resistance, obesity and type 2 diabetes and their vascular complications, with also a special focus on the consequences of obesity among women.
