Long-Term Plan Announced for Diabetes Research

Certain failure.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) has announced its 10-year strategic plan for diabetes research.

"By setting priorities and identifying the most compelling research opportunities, the strategic plan will guide NIH, other federal agencies, and the investigative community in efforts to improve diabetes treatments and identify ways to keep more people healthy," NIDDK Director Griffin P. Rodgers, MD, said in a statement...

Obesity is another focus of the plan because of its status as a major risk factor for diabetes.

Areas of interest in obesity include:

Obesity, inflammation, insulin resistance, and macrophage function. "Macrophages and inflammation appear to be activated by excess nutrients and subsequently play a role in eliciting insulin resistance as a consequence of obesity," the report authors noted. "Research is needed to clarify the mechanisms and outcomes of tissue-specific inflammation in obesity."

Mechanisms underlying energy homeostasis. "Untangling the complex networks of hormonal and neural mechanisms that control energy balance in the body could point to new therapeutic targets to prevent or treat obesity," according to the report.

Central nervous system control of thermogenesis. "New technologies are needed to facilitate study of the complex control of energy expenditure and how it contributes to weight maintenance and obesity in people," the authors wrote.

Discovering genetic and intrauterine determinants of obesity susceptibility that predispose people to developing diabetes.

Adipose tissue biology. "Adipose tissue research is key to the development of treatments for obesity and type 2 diabetes," the authors noted. "Understanding the mechanisms that regulate fat cell number, size, distribution, and signaling, and developing new technologies for studying adipose tissues are urgent research goals."

Obesity prevention and treatment. "Behavioral strategies are needed to prevent inappropriate weight gain and promote or maintain weight loss in individuals across the lifespan, as well as in communities or large populations," the authors wrote. "The development and testing of such strategies would be supported by research on the nonbiological determinants of obesity and obesity prevention and the use of technologies to tailor the delivery of interventions to individuals."

Eat fewer Calories than are burned.

Weight is lost.

Done.

F**k you, NIDDK.

You are a waste.

Period.