In a recent continuing education meeting on the latest treatments for diabetes, there were the usual conversations of the difficulties in getting patients toloseweight, exercise, follow diets, keep their sugars down, and take their medication.
Excess belly fat seems to be particularly harmful, most likely because of its effects on inflammation and its association with elevated insulin levels, so if you tend to be more "apple shaped" and carry extra weight in your belly, it is especially important toloseweight, exercise regularly, and limit refined grains, sugar sweetened beverages, and added sugar in your diet.