Risk Factors
A risk factor is any characteristic, behavior, or condition that increases your chances of getting a disease. Here are some known risk factors for developing Type 2 Diabetes:
Overweight/Obesity
Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Being overweight or obese causes the cells to become more resistant to insulin and can increase the risk of diabetes. Body mass index is a measurement that is calculated from an individual's height and weight, and can indicate if that person has a healthy body weight, or a high amount of body fat. Having a body mass index, (BMI) of 30.0 or higher is considered obese. Overweight is defined as having a BMI between 25 and 29.9.
Aging
The risk for type 2 diabetes increases with age, and most people with the disease are over the age of 45. However, type 2 diabetes is becoming more prevalent in children, adolescents, and young adults, possibly due to an unhealthy diet, obesity and lack of exercise.
Physical Inactivity/Lack of Exercise
Physical activity and exercise improve insulin's ability to move glucose from the blood into the cells so it can be used as energy. The less physical activity and exercise you get, the greater your risk for type 2 diabetes.
Pre-diabetes
Pre-diabetes is a condition in which the level of glucose in the blood is too high, but not high enough to be considered diabetes. People with pre-diabetes can sometimes develop some complications such as nerve problems (neuropathy) which occur with diabetes even if they do not have the criteria to be diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. This condition greatly increases the risk of eventually developing type 2 diabetes.
Family History
The risk of developing type 2 diabetes is greater if an immediate family member has the disease.
Race/Ethnicity
African-Americans, Hispanics, Native-Americans, and Asian-Americans are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than Caucasians are.
High blood-pressure, abnormal cholesterol and triglycerides
High blood-pressure (hypertension), low levels of "good" cholesterol (HDL), and high levels of triglycerides (over 250 mg/dL) can lead to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Smoking
Smoking increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and can also worsen complications in those who already have the disease.
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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is a condition that causes women to have higher levels of androgen and estrogen, and lower levels of progesterone. These substances are hormones, which are produced by the body to control the function of certain organs and cells. Abnormal levels of these hormones can lead to symptoms such as obesity, irregular periods, and increased hair growth. This condition increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that many women develop during pregnancy. Women who have developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy have a greater risk for type 2 diabetes.
Alcohol
Too much alcohol can cause chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which can impair its ability to secrete insulin and ultimately lead to diabetes.
