Risk Factors for Diabetes - Can You Become Diabetic?

What causes Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes is not definitively known, but there now appears to be at least two general factors that increase the likelihood of developing diabetes. The first factor is genetics, who in your family has diabetes? If one parent has diabetes, your chances of developing diabetes increase greatly. The second factor is environmental. Several studies have indicated that exposure to cow's milk, wheat products or intestinal viruses in the first few months of a baby's life increase the child's chances of developing Type 1 diabetes.

Risk factors for Type I diabetes are pretty much unknown. However, there are many risk factors for Type II diabetes that have been identified. Family history and genetics can play a part, but some of those can be turned around to either prevent or reverse Type II diabetes. What are the risk factors for Type II diabetes?

For Type II diabetes, obesity is the number one risk factor. Nearly 60 million adults qualify as obese in accordance with a study undertaken by the National Center of Health Statistics. Even more alarming is the study's finding that the instances of Type II diabetes in children has risen at greater rates. It should be no surprise that the number of overweight childhood has tripled since 1980.

Obesity and diabetes seem to go hand in hand. If you maintain a sedentary lifestyle and are clinically obese, glucose metabolism is compromised. Excess body fat makes it difficult for the body to properly process blood glucose into energy. In turn, excess blood sugar is stored by the body as fat. This cycle will continue on and on unless steps are taken to reduce weight and exercise regularly.

Eating poorly or the wrong foods will also contribute to obesity. Studies show that almost 90% of people with Type 2 diabetes are also clinically obese. Lack of adequate fiber in the diet and too much fat and simple carbs increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

In addition, family history and genetics also play a role in bearing a higher risk for diabetes. Having a family member who has been diagnosed with diabetes is an indication that you may be at higher risk for developing diabetes.

Age is a risk factor by virtue of the fact that as we grow older, the pancreas which controls insulin production grows older as well and becomes less efficient. Our cells also become less capable of processing blood glucose. As a result, with each passing year, the risk of Type II diabetes becomes higher. According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 50% of Type II diabetes occur in persons over 55 years of age.

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.

Women who have had gestational diabetes have a higher risk as well. This type of diabetes affects around 4% of all women who are pregnant. Studies have shown that many women who have this type of diabetes go on to develop Type II diabetes even years later in life. Their children who were in the womb at the time of the gestational diabetes also have some risk of developing diabetes later in their life.

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.

By: Denise Durbin

Diabetes is a life-threatening disease that affects millions of people. Learn why are Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes potential killers and how to tell the symptoms of diabetes are at DiabetesCareFAQs.com

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