City of Hope endocrinologist Raynald Samoa, M.D., has seen a lot of people struggle with their weight.
His roots are in the South Pacific, a region that has eight of the 10 countries with the highest prevalence of obesity in the world, according to Forbes.com. Now, as a physician, Samoa is committed to fighting fat and its associated diseases.
“When you see abdominal obesity, you see a variety of other disease risk factors,” Samoa said, “including high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, insulin resistance and other problems.
“These go hand in hand with type 2 diabetes and increased risk for heart disease and stroke.”
Samoa entered endocrinology to study the fascinating interaction that culture and environment have on hormone physiology. The association of a Western lifestyle with the rising prevalence of diabetes worldwide made obesity research a clear fit.
He’s particularly interested in studying how the body sends and maintains its appetite signals ― signals that keep some people eating and gaining weight, even when they don’t need to. He practices what he studies, as well, participating in obesity intervention projects in Pacific Islander communities in the U.S. and abroad.
A graduate of the University of Washington’s medical school, Samoa did much of his training at LAC+USC Medical Center, completing a fellowship in adult endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism and an internship and residency in combined internal medicine and pediatrics. He took that experience in children’s health to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where he honed his knowledge and skills as a pediatric endocrinologist.
Today, in his City of Hope clinic, he sees adults who refuse to let their endocrine disease stop them, whether they have thyroid disorders or type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease. He also sees children and young adults increasingly being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Researchers believe the incidence of type 2 diabetes is growing among children because few get enough regular exercise and many are overweight. Exposure to diabetes in the womb may also be a factor.
Samoa knows lifestyle changes, though, can make a dramatic difference in the lives of those with diabetes, whether young or old.
“It all starts with education,” he said. “If people take simple steps like eating better and exercising, and make them a part of their routine for a lifetime, many can deter type 2 diabetes. They just need to know how ― and, in addition to our research, education is part of how City of Hope can help.”
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