Type 2 diabetes: What Are The Risk Factors?

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. It is known as a medical condition in which the insulin is produced normally, but the body is unable to use it properly because of insulin resistance. Patients in the early stages who have high insulin levels can be treated with oral glucose-lowering medications.

While type 2 diabetes can happen to anyone, there are a few risk factors that can up the risk.

What are the risk factors for type 2 diabetes?

1. Your body weight: Obesity or being overweight is a major risk factor for diabetes. Higher amount of adipose tissue increases the risk of insulin resistance by the body. It is therefore essential to shed as much weight as one can to prevent diabetes.

2. No physical activity: Sedentary lifestyle or immobility increases the risk of diabetes. It causes insulin resistance, making it difficult for the body to use glucose and convert it into energy. If your daily routine lacks any form of physical activity, it is likely that fat will be stored in your body, which can lead to type 2 diabetes. So, you must engage in moderate levels of physical activity for at least 30-45 minutes everyday.

3. Family history: Diabetes, especially type 2, is strongly linked with family history. If anyone in your family has had diabetes, your chances automatically rise.

4. Age: Diabetes and age has a direct correlation. The age group of 45–65 is considered to be more diabetes-prone. Immobility, lack of physical activity and high sugar consumption are some of the primary reasons for developing diabetes among this age group.

5. Gestational diabetes: This form of diabetes develops in some women during pregnancy. Usually, it happens around 24th week. The hormones produced during pregnancy can block insulin to be used by the body. These women have normal blood sugar before pregnancy and most of them have normal sugar after delivery also. But they require treatment of diabetes during pregnancy and many of them may become diabetic later in life. It can have harmful effects on the mother and the baby, if not treated.

6. Prediabetes: It is a condition wherein your blood sugar level is higher than normal. However, not this high that it can be classified as diabetes. Treating prediabetes is important because it often progresses to type 2 diabetes.