The risk factors for type 2 diabetes

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.

Having an apple-shaped figure (too much fat above the hips) generally signals a greater risk factor for type 2 diabetes than for individuals with a pear-shaped figure (too much fat in the thighs and hips). Males with a waist measurement of larger than 39.5 in. (100 cm), and females, larger than 37.5 in. (95 cm) are considered to be at greater risk.

Age: The risk of type 2 diabetes increases with age. Those over 45 are at a greater risk than their younger counterparts and those over 65 are three times as high as people in the 35 to 64 age group.

Staying physically fit and keeping our weight in check minimizes our chances for acquiring type 2 diabetes. Eating a proper diet and exercising regularly will also help improve blood sugar levels for those who already have the disease.

If a parent or sibling has type 2 diabetes you are at risk too. While the cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, genetics appears to play a key role. In 2003, researchers found a key gene that could explain why some are more susceptible to the disease than others. Although type 2 diabetes is linked with a strong genetic predisposition, the genetics of this type of diabetes are complex and not yet clear.

Nearly four out of every ten women who have diabetes during pregnancy will eventually develop type 2. This usually happens within 10 years of giving birth.

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.

Ancestry plays a key role. Earlier screening is encouraged for people with high-risk ethnicity such as Native American, African American, Pacific Island, and South Asian.

High Blood Pressure: This risk factor for type 2 diabetes is present in up to to 60 percent of people with undiagnosed diabetes.

High Cholesterol: Among those with diabetes more than 40 percent have abnormally high cholesterol levels.

By: John Richmond

It's important to know the type 2 diabetes risk factors and John Richmond, a writer for YourDiabetesInfo.com and diabetes researcher has other interesting articles there as well.

Article Directory: http://www.articlewisdom.com

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated