Kaylah Walton
Eleven years back, when he was 57, actor and two-time Oscar recipient Tom Hanks disclosed his battle with type 2 diabetes, admitting that it stemmed from neglecting medical guidance and living a lifestyle that has now led to consequences.
The actor, known for voicing Woody in the “Toy Story” series, acknowledged, “I belong to the lazy American generation, mindlessly enjoying life, and now we’re facing a disease.”
Reflecting on his past, Hanks remarked, “I struggled with my weight, and it’s quite clear from my film appearances. I was foolish.”
During an interview on the “Late Show” with David Letterman, he shared that his diabetes was a direct result of his habits, particularly his eating habits.
“I believed skipping the bread on my cheeseburgers would suffice; clearly, it’s not that simple,” he chuckled.
Tom Hanks’ weight transformations for his roles
Hanks explained that for his role in “A League of Their Own“, where he starred alongside Geena Davis and Madonna, he needed to gain 14 kilos to play manager Jimmy Dugan.
That was followed by a weight loss for his first Oscar-winning role in “Philadelphia“, and later, he shed 25 kilos for “Cast Away“.
He noted, “The constant cycle of gaining and losing weight likely contributed to my condition since heavy eating habits and lack of exercise go hand in hand.”
Understanding type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by elevated blood glucose levels.
Glucose serves as the body’s primary energy source, and it is derived from the foods consumed. Insulin, a crucial hormone, facilitates glucose’s entry into cells to provide energy.
Individuals with diabetes may either not produce sufficient insulin or fail to utilize it effectively, causing excess glucose to linger in the bloodstream rather than enter the cells.
If unchecked, elevated blood glucose levels can lead to several health complications. However, there are measures available to manage diabetes and mitigate potential health risks.
