I’m not saying that severe Fibro symptoms is only experienced by overweight people with FM. I know several pwf who are average or underweight. I also know a few people with diabetes who are average or underweight. By providing the info below, I am acknowledging that some of us do need to know this info.

The pain, stiffness, malaise and fatigue of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome [Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)] often cause people with FM or CFS/ME to become sedentary. This sedentary lifestyle may lead to severe weight gain and obesity. Obesity has been linked to insulin resistance. Researchers have found that “insulin resistance is a fundamental aspect of the etiology of type 2 diabetes and is also linked to a wide array of other [conditions] including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis. . . the metabolic syndrome, or syndrome X, and, polycystic ovarian disease.” [1]

MedicineNet.com reports, “insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas. Insulin is an essential hormone that has many actions within the body. Insulin resistance (IR) is a condition in which the normal response to a given amount of insulin is reduced within the body. Higher levels of insulin are needed in order for insulin to have its proper effects. So, the pancreas compensates by trying to produce more. Insulin resistance is a risk factor for development of diabetes and heart disease.” [2]

So what does all this have to do with Fibromyalgia? Well, how many of us with Fibro, [overweight, underweight, average weight], have experienced the cognitive impairment referred to as Fibro Fog. Fibro Fog is that episode of forgetting words, walking into a room and forgetting what we went in there to get, losing thoughts or words, etc. One study found that an increase in insulin resistance in people with FM [pwf] may be a risk factor for increased Fibro Fog. [3]

Endnotes:

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^[1]Obesity and insulin resistance, Barbara B. Kahn, Jeffrey S. Flier, Published in Volume 106, Issue 4

J Clin Invest. 2000; 106(4):473–481 doi:10.1172/JCI10842

^[2]http://www.medicinenet.com/insulin_resistance/article.htm#what_is_insulin_resistance

^[3]Insulin resistance possible risk factor for cognitive impairment in fibromialgic patients.

Fava A, Plastino M, Cristiano D, Spanò A, Cristofaro S, Opipari C, Chillà A, Casalinuovo F, Colica C, De Bartolo M, Pirritano D, Bosco D.

Metab Brain Dis. 2013 Jul 28.