What Are Common Risk Factors for Diabetes?

There are 37.3 million people in the United States with diabetes, a chronic disease in which the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels. There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that usually develops in childhood or early adulthood, while type 2 diabetes is more common in adults and is often associated with obesity and lifestyle factors.

These are the most common risk factors for type 2 diabetes:

1. Obesity: Obesity is one of the most significant risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Excess body fat can cause insulin resistance, which means that the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin. This can lead to high blood sugar levels and eventually to type 2 diabetes.

2. Sedentary lifestyle: Lack of physical activity is another major risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Regular exercise helps to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake by the muscles, which can prevent the development of diabetes.

3. Age: The risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases as you get older. This may be due to a decrease in physical activity, loss of muscle mass, and changes in hormone levels that occur with aging. However, people of all ages may be diagnosed with diabetes. Check out our blog on How to Prevent Diabetes in Children for some useful tips.

4. Family history: If you have a family history of type 2 diabetes, you are at a higher risk of developing the disease. This may be due to genetic factors or shared lifestyle habits.

5. Ethnicity: Certain ethnic groups, such as African Americans, Hispanic/Latinos, and Native Americans, have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than others.

6. Gestational diabetes: Women who have had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

7. High blood pressure: High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. It is also a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Check out our blog to learn how to regulate your blood pressure, here.

8. High cholesterol: High levels of LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, as well as heart disease and stroke.

9. Smoking: Smoking is a risk factor for many chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes. It can increase insulin resistance and lead to high blood sugar levels. If you are struggling with nicotine addicition, you may call 1-800-QUIT-NOW, a hotline from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) designed to help people stop smoking.

In summary, the risk factors for type 2 diabetes range from genetic factors to individual habits. Reducing these risk factors through lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and a healthy diet, can help to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. If you are at high risk of developing diabetes, talk to your healthcare provider about ways to reduce your risk and manage your blood sugar levels.

And if you want to learn more about this disease, check our blogs on the symptoms, risk factors on type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.