The 59-year-old, who was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2013, says being part of the “lazy American generation” contributed to him developing the disease in later life.
Speaking to Britain’s Radio Times, the Castaway star said: “I was heavy. You’ve seen me in movies, you know what I looked like. I was a total idiot.”
“I thought I could avoid it by removing the buns from my cheeseburgers. Well, it takes a little bit more than that.”
Hanks admits that it was his diet, and not partying, that caused him to develop diabetes – as he had kids too young to go out and get “shitfaced.”
But luckily for Tom, his doctor has said if he hits his target weight and eats healthily, he can rid himself of the disease for good.
The same cannot be said for those who suffer with Type 1 of the disease, which is not brought on by lifestyle choices but is an autoimmune disease.
Tom had his first child when he was just 21, something he attributes to stopping him from getting “too stoned” early one in life.
His eldest son Colin is now a successful actor in his own right, having gone onto star in Band of Brothers, Fargo and Dexter to name a few.
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