Obesity is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Obesity is found in approximately 55% of patients diagnosed with type 2. The disease is becoming more common due to the growing number of older Americans, increasing obesity, and failure to exercise.
Apple-shaped figure: Having an excess of fat above the hips usually means a greater risk factor for type 2 diabetes than for those who have a pear-shaped figure (excess of fat in the thighs and hips). Men with a waist size larger than 39.5 in. (100 cm), and women, 37.5 in. (95 cm) are at increased risk.
Aging increases the risk for type 2 diabetes. Those over 45 years of age are at a higher risk and those over 65 are three times greater than people aged 35 to 64.
Having a sedentary lifestyle is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Maintaining an ideal body weight and an active lifestyle may prevent the onset of the disease. Think of it as a lifestyle disease, triggered by obesity, a lack of exercise, increased age and to some degree, genetic predisposition.
If type 2 diabetes is present in a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) you are at risk too.
Nearly 40 percent of women who have diabetes while being pregnant will develop type 2. Usually within five to ten years after delivery.
Those with impaired glucose tolerance, also called impaired fasting glucose have a risk factor for type 2 diabetes that can occur prior to the development of type 2 . While those affected are not considered to have diabetes, their blood sugar is considered to be abnormal placing them at higher risk for heart disease as well as type 2. Glucose tolerance progressively declines as we age, and there is a high rate of type 2 diabetes and post challenge hyperglycemia in the older population.
Those who have Asian, Latin American, African or Aboriginal ancestry are at a higher risk of having type 2 diabetes.
High Blood Pressure is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes that is common in as many as 6 out of 10 people with undiagnosed diabetes.
Diabetes type 2 is often associated with elevated cholesterol, (more than 40 percent have abnormally high cholesterol levels). Managing diabetes is more than keeping blood glucose levels under control, it is very important to manage cholesterol levels through healthy eating, exercise, and use of medications when necessary.
It's wise to know the
type 2 diabetes risk factors and John Richmond, a writer for YourDiabetesInfo.com and
diabetes researcher has other informative articles there as well. Click here for other
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