A Russian therapist warns that diabetes can develop in individuals who appear lean or carry atypical fat distribution, challenging the conventional association with excess weight. With millions of Russians unaware they have the condition, experts stress the importance of recognising diverse risk factors beyond body weight.
A Russian therapist has challenged the common belief that diabetes is mainly a disease of people with excess weight, saying it can also develop in people who look lean and have a normal body mass. Olga Sukhareva said the risk is not determined by appearance alone, but also by how effectively the body responds to insulin and whether inherited factors weaken that process. Healthline and Diabetes Team make a similar point, noting that type 2 diabetes can affect people of many body types and is shaped by more than weight alone.
Sukhareva drew particular attention to people sometimes described as “skinny fat”: those who may seem slim but carry too little muscle and relatively more body fat. In her view, that imbalance can encourage insulin resistance, when the body’s cells stop responding properly to insulin and blood sugar rises. Geisinger has also explained that this pattern can increase diabetes risk even in thinner people, while genetics, age and lifestyle can all play a part.
Her warning comes against the backdrop of a large diabetes burden in Russia. Natalia Mokrysheva, director of the Ministry of Health’s endocrinology centre and a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said about 12 million Russians are living with diabetes and roughly half do not know it. The International Diabetes Federation gives a lower estimate for 2024, putting the number of adults aged 20 to 79 with diabetes in Russia at about 7.6 million and saying 40.5% are undiagnosed, underlining how many cases may still be hidden.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
