Anthony Anderson’s physique during his appearance on You People raised eyebrows, but fans didn’t comment much about him. However, after he posted an Instagram photo of himself looking leaner than usual, netizens expressed concern over Anderson’s physique. He captioned the photo:
“Hey hey! I’m on set today with Kelly Clarkson! One of the things we talked about is an issue I’m super passionate about – the link between type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Did you know that people living with type 2 diabetes have up to 4x greater risk of stroke, heart attack or cardiovascular death? Crazy, right?!”
Anderson has battled type 2 diabetes for over two decades
Anthony Anderson suspected he had type 2 diabetes when he started experiencing the same symptoms his father, a type 2 diabetes patient, suffered. “One night I drank 5 gallons of water in an hour and a half, and that’s when I knew I had to go to the doctor,” Anderson told The Los Angeles Times.
In 2001, Anderson learned he had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. The doctors put him on medication and advised him to exercise. Anderson didn’t alter his life much, but following the death of his father, he made wholesale changes to his diet and routine.
“I vowed never to let that happen to my wife and children, and it jump-started me into becoming healthier,” he said. “And then my mother was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, and I wanted to be an example for her.”
Anderson, an impressive athlete growing up despite being a bit on the heavy side, began an intensive exercise regimen. The actor lost so much weight that the Law & Order production team had to get him a new wardrobe. The exercise had its desired effect: it helped Anderson better regulate his blood sugars.
A nutritionist introduced to Anderson by Al Roker helped Anderson alter his diet. He mainly eats fish, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. In 2021, Anderson undertook a 12-week post-quarantine weight-loss challenge without a personal trainer.
“In the beginning you always go, well, everything’s good in moderation. Well, then you’re moderately still killing yourself,” Anderson told GQ.
Anderson’s weight loss is likely a consequence of the dieting and regular exercise needed to control type 2 diabetes.
Anthony Anderson is passionate about raising diabetes awareness
Anderson uses his platform to raise awareness about diabetes. For instance, the actor partnered with Novo Nordisk on its Get Real About Diabetes campaign to help people with type 2 diabetes access the support they need. He told Everyday Health:
“We want to create awareness about diabetes and what we can do once we have been diagnosed with this disease, how we can overcome it, how we can manage it and live with it and not die from it.”
Anderson hopes his openness can help destigmatize diabetes. “Have real conversations with yourself and with your doctors – have a real, honest conversation about what it is you need to change in your life so you can live a long, healthy life,” he added.