wondering about diabetic's appearance

This might sound a bit confusing but here goes. There is a lady I know in late thirties and she apparently has diabetes. She has not been well of late. From what I understand she has played squash regularly and walks daily and is diet controlled. Over the last five to six years her appearance for ages has resembled the african disease kwashiorkor due to a distended stomach and her legs are quite tiny. Has anyone seen this type of symptom in diabetes as most of the diabetics I have come into contact with seem to be overweight but carry the weight in proportion, not just confined to any one spot. No one seems to know what is wrong with her and it is such a shame. I know allnurses aren't supposed to give certain diagnoses but I am surprised the problem has taken so long to pick up.