The Relationship Between Diabetic Foot, Diabetes, and Body Mass Index (BMI)
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What is Diabetic Foot?
Diabetic foot is a serious clinical condition that describes wounds, infections, and tissue loss in the feet resulting from nerve damage (neuropathy) and circulation disorders caused by diabetes. Particularly uncontrolled diabetes accelerates this process.
When diabetes is not controlled for a long time:
- Loss of sensation develops in the feet
- Minor traumas go unnoticed
- Wounds heal slowly
- Risk of infection increases
This situation paves the way for diabetic foot wound formation.
The Connection Between Diabetes and Foot Wounds
Diabetes, directly affects the vascular and nervous structures in the body. Especially the feet are among the first areas affected by circulation disorders because they are far from the heart.
Foot wounds in diabetic individuals:
- Heal more slowly
- Become infected more frequently
- May require surgical intervention in advanced cases
Therefore, foot health in diabetic patients is of critical importance in disease monitoring.
What are the Symptoms of Diabetic Foot Wounds?
The following symptoms are considered warning signs for diabetic foot wounds:
- Non-healing wounds or cracks in the feet
- Redness, swelling, or discharge
- Loss of sensation or burning sensation in the feet
- Darkening of skin color
- Increased temperature or bad odor in the feet
When these symptoms are noticed, expert evaluation is required without delay.
What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a fundamental measure calculated by comparing a person’s weight to their height and used in obesity assessment.
Formula: BMI = Weight (kg) / Height² (m²)
BMI values are generally classified as follows:
- 18.5 – 24.9 → Normal
- 25 – 29.9 → Overweight
- ≥ 30 → Obesity
How is Body Mass Index Calculated?
Body mass index is calculated by dividing a person’s body weight (in kilograms) by the square of their height (in meters). The formula used is BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)².
Body Mass Index Calculation Steps
For example; the body mass index of a person weighing 75 kilograms and 1.65 meters tall is calculated as follows:
- First, the square of the height in meters is calculated. In this example, 1.65 x 1.65 = 2.72 m².
- In the second step, the weight in kilograms is divided by the square meter result. That is, 75/2.72 operation is performed. The result is 27.5. This person’s body mass index is determined as 27.5.
What Should the Body Mass Index Be?
The value obtained from BMI calculation shows what the body mass index should be. For a healthy body mass index, the ideal range is between 18.5 and 24.9. Those below these values are considered underweight, and those above are considered overweight.
| Weight Type | Body Mass Index |
|---|---|
| Underweight | < 18.5 |
| Healthy (Normal) | 18.5 - 24.9 |
| Overweight | 25 - 29.9 |
| Obese | 30 - 39.9 |
| Severely Obese | ≥ 40 |
Body Mass Index (BMI) for Women
Ideal BMI values for women are generally similar to men, but there may be some variations due to body composition differences. In women, a higher body fat percentage is generally considered normal. The healthy BMI range for women is 18.5 - 24.9.
When evaluating BMI in women, periods such as hormonal changes, pregnancy, and menopause should also be taken into account. Especially during pregnancy, BMI values may differ from normal, and this is considered natural.
Body Mass Index (BMI) for Men
Ideal BMI values for men are also in the 18.5 - 24.9 range. Men generally have higher muscle mass and lower body fat percentage compared to women. Therefore, there may be differences in body composition between a man and a woman with the same BMI value.
When evaluating BMI in men, especially in athletes and individuals who exercise regularly, the BMI value may be above the normal range due to high muscle mass. In this case, additional evaluations such as body fat percentage measurement are recommended.
Important Note: BMI is a general assessment tool and does not take into account factors such as muscle mass, bone density, age, and gender. BMI can be misleading, especially in athletes and individuals with high muscle mass. For definitive information about your health status, be sure to consult a doctor.
The Relationship Between BMI, Diabetes, and Diabetic Foot
High BMI is an important risk factor, especially for Type 2 diabetes development. Excess weight and obesity;
- Increase insulin resistance
- Make blood sugar control difficult
- Negatively affect vascular structure
This process directly increases the risk of diabetic foot and foot wound development. As BMI increases, the frequency of diabetes-related complications also increases.
What Should Be Done to Prevent Diabetic Foot?
The following measures are important to reduce diabetic foot risk:
- Blood sugar should be monitored regularly
- Body mass index (BMI) should be kept under control
- Daily foot examination should be performed
- Appropriate shoe selection should not be neglected
- Even the smallest wound that occurs in the feet should be taken seriously
Diabetic foot problems detected early can be controlled before progressing with the right approach.
Diabetic foot is one of the most serious complications of diabetes. Body mass index (BMI) is an important indicator in predicting the risk of diabetes and foot wounds. Excess weight makes diabetes control difficult while also increasing the risk of diabetic foot wound development.
Therefore, diabetes management should be addressed together with not only blood sugar but also weight control, foot care, and regular monitoring.
Important Note: This article is for general information purposes and does not replace medical advice. For diabetic foot treatment and BMI evaluation, be sure to consult a specialist doctor.
You can get detailed information from Prof. Dr. Aytaç Çetinkaya. You can contact us for consultation and appointment.
