|
Do You Have These Diabetes Risk Factors? |
By:
Denise Durbin |
|
|
Do You Have These Diabetes Risk Factors?
by Denise Durbin
Why some individuals develop diabetes and others don't is not known with any degree of certainty. However, there appears to be two underlying factors that may point to developing diabetes. The most common one is genetic pre-disposition. Environmental triggers such as exposure to certain foods too early in an infant's life is the second factor.
Despite better awareness of health issues, not much progress has been made with respect to determining the risk factors for Type I diabetes. On the other hand, risk factors for Type II diabetes have been uncovered that can lead the way to preventing the onset of Type 2 diabetes despite genetics and family history.
Obesity is probably the highest risk factor when it comes to Type 2 diabetes. According to the National Center of Health Statistics, almost 60 million adults are within weight levels defined as being obese. The Center's study also reveals that the number of children who are overweight is rising at alarming numbers. Obesity in children has tripled since 1980. Even more alarming is that the number of children who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes has also risen.
Leading an inactive, sedentary lifestyle is one the worse things for someone predisposed to diabetes. Not only does inactivity contribute to overall poor health, it is a major cause of rising obesity rates. Exercising daily will greatly enhance your health with the added bonus of reducing risks factors for developing diabetes.
There are many studies showing that nearly 90% of Type II diabetes sufferers are also overweight. Poor eating habits contribute to obesity. Consuming too much fat and simple carbohydrates with little or no fiber increase the risk of developing Type II diabetes.
Genetics and family history also factor into your risk of developing Type II diabetes. If you have a parent or sibling with Type II diabetes, then your own chances of developing diabetes are increased twofold.
One risk factor over which we have no control is our age. Each year we turn another year older, the risk of developing Type II diabetes is greater. Even those older people who are thin can get this disease. Scientists have speculated that our bodies, including our pancreas which control insulin production, age right along with us. As we get older, our pancreas doesn't function as efficiently as it may have when we were younger. Also, our cells age as we do and they become more resistant to insulin as the years pass.
High cholesterol and high blood pressure are two key elements that factor into developing Type II diabetes. The combination of both disorders is related to what is called Metabolic Syndrome, which simply stated, is a group of symptoms that include high blood pressure, high blood fats and central obesity (excess abdominal fat). This syndrome also includes insulin resistance, a precursor to developing diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes increases by up to 50 percent in women who have diabetes during pregnancy. Known as gestational diabetes mellitus or GDM, it places both mother and child at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes in later years.
Studies have shown that ethnicity plays a role as well. Hispanic Americans, African Americans, Native Americans and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders are all at a higher risk than most for developing Type II diabetes.
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of adults and children. Learn why are Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes potential killers and what the symptoms of diabetes are at DiabetesCareFAQs.com You are welcome to reprint this article - but get your own unique content version here.
|
|
Article Source: http://www.statssheet.com/articles/article55361.html |
|
|
|
|
|
