
Risk Factors For Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
INTRODUCTION Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and relative impairment in insulin secretion. Its pathogenesis is poorly understood, but is heterogeneous and both genetic factors affecting insulin release and responsiveness and environmental factors, such as obesity, are important. The prevalence of and risk factors for type 2 diabetes will be reviewed here. The pathogenesis, including genetic susceptibility, and the diagnostic criteria for diabetes are discussed elsewhere. (See "Pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus" and "Clinical presentation and diagnosis of diabetes mellitus in adults".) LIFETIME RISK/PREVALENCE It is estimated that diabetes affects 387 million people worldwide [1]. Among adults in the United States, the estimated overall prevalence of diabetes ranges from 12 to 14 percent, depending on the criteria used [2]. An analysis of data from the National Health Interview Survey found a doubling in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes from 1990 to 2008, with no significant change during 2008 to 2012 [3]. Other national databases, such as the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), have reported an increase in the prevalence of diabetes over two decades (from 9.8 to 12.4 percent), but have confirmed the relatively stable (approximately 12 percent) prevalence between 2008 and 2012 [2,4]. Given the marked increase in childhood obesity, there is concern that the prevalence of diabetes will continue to increase substantially. (See "Definition; epidemiology; and etiology of obesity in children and adolescents", section on 'Epidemiology'.) The prevalence of diabetes is higher in certain populations. Using data from a national survey for people aged 20 years or older, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes i Continue reading >>

Diabetes Risk Factors
Tweet There are a number of major risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Although some diabetic risks come from our genetics, many are preventable. Unfortunately, many people do not know what these are or clearly understand the signs of them. For this reason, below is a list of top type 2 diabetes risk factors. Also see: the symptoms of diabetes Obesity Obesity is the major type 2 diabetes risk, with millions of people throughout the world facing obesity. Almost a quarter of adults in the UK are recorded as being obese. Furthermore, the numbers continue to climb, both amongst adults and children. The number of children being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes caused by obesity is climbing everywhere. In the UK, about one in three children are classed as obese. Read more on diabetes and obesity Lack of exercise and sedentary way of life Living a sedentary lifestyle without sufficient exercise is seriously damaging to health. Being inactive often leads to being overweight, which can lead to pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Staying active decreases insulin resistance and helps bodily insulin to be more effective. Read more on diabetes and obesity Eating a 'Western' diet Eating unhealthily is a major cause of type 2 diabetes, as over 90 per cent of type 2 diabetics are overweight. A so called Western diet, with a reliance on processed foods, poor quality fats and little fibre content, is thought to be a major contributor to diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Eating well, in conjunction with exercise, can prevent or reverse the development of type 2 diabetes. Picking a healthy diet can sometimes be confusing, with so many mixed messages, and its often not helped by so-called diabetic food which are not necessarily a healthier option. High blood pressure High cholesterol and blood pres Continue reading >>
- Are You at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes? Learn Common—and Not So Common—Risk Factors
- Symptoms of EARLY diabetes: Five risk factors putting YOU on course for type 2 diabetes
- Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Youth With Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study

Diabetes Risk Factors
You're also more at risk if: you’ve ever had a heart attack or a stroke you have schizophrenia, bipolar illness or depression, or if you are receiving treatment with antipsychotic medication you’re a woman who’s had polycystic ovaries, gestational diabetes, or a baby weighing over 10 pounds. You can find out your risk of Type 2 diabetes now. It only takes a few minutes. It could be the most important thing you do today. Before you use the tool to find out your risk, you need to take a few measurements: your waist size, your height and your weight. Find out more about how to get an accurate waist measurement. It's not your belt size. Are you eligible for an NHS Health Check? Whether you have any other risk factors or not, if you’re over 40 your risk of Type 2 diabetes and other conditions is higher. If you're aged 40 to 74 and living in England you may be eligible for a free NHS Health Check. It's a great way to check your health and get personalised advice on keeping yourself healthy and active. Find out more about the health check on the NHS website, or talk to your GP for more information. Terry's story Continue reading >>
- Are You at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes? Learn Common—and Not So Common—Risk Factors
- Symptoms of EARLY diabetes: Five risk factors putting YOU on course for type 2 diabetes
- Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Youth With Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study

15 Common Risk Factors Of Type 2 Diabetes
You're in the doctor's office for a routine physical exam when you receive the diagnosis: type 2 diabetes. Sure, you have heard of diabetes before and may even have a general idea of what led to this diagnosis. In fact, your doctor may have even warned you that in most cases, developing the disease is a direct result of poor nutrition and lack of exercise. But you didn't really listen, because you've been living this way for years and things seemed fine. How did you miss the warning signs? And what exactly went wrong? To find out, let's take a look at the most common risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes and better determine which ones may apply to you. This article was originally published by our partners at RodaleWellness.com. Both your genes and your childhood environment (learned eating habits, outdoor activities, sleeping patterns, reward mechanisms, etc.) can increase or decrease your risk of developing diabetes. The more fat you have (especially around your middle), the more resistant your body becomes to insulin and the hunger-regulating hormone leptin. Prolonged periods of sitting increase your chances of developing diabetes. Why? Working your muscles squelches the fire of inflammation. Not using your muscles leads to the development of diabetes. And when you sit, you barely use any muscles. Certain races are more prone to the ravishments of the Western diet than others: Hispanics, blacks, Hawaiians, Native Americans, and Asians have an increased risk of developing diabetes. Beginning at age 45, your risk for diabetes grows considerably. At this time in your life, you have likely eaten too many cupcakes with icing and walked too few miles (fix that now with these walking tips!)—and the effects of this lifestyle are beginning to show. And retirees have Continue reading >>

Age Is An Important Risk Factor For Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus And Cardiovascular Diseases
Age is an Important Risk Factor For Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Cardiovascular Diseases [2] Division of Geriatrics; Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Sanglah Hospital, Denpasar, Indonesia 1. Introduction A field study by World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank and Harvard University in 1990 found a changing pattern of diseases caused by unhealthy lifestyle changes that may eventually lead to metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary arterial diseases, depression, and traffic accidents (Kinsella and Phillips, 2005). The study also predicted that cerebrovascular diseases would become the most prevalent disease, whereas human HIV infection would sharply increase in the year 2020 (Kinsella and Phillips, 2005). The lifestyle-related and degenerative diseases are significant problems in the old aged population group. The number of elderly population has increased worldwide, and recently it has been increasing sharply in the developing countries. The projection of the number of elderly population in Indonesia by the year 2010 is 23,992. The Indonesian Central Bureau for Statistics (Badan Pusat Statistik) has reported that Indonesia is the world’s fourth in the number of elderly population after China, India, and USA (Komala et al., 2005). US Bureau of Census predicted that from 1990 to 2020, the Indonesian elderly population would increase to 41.4%. The predicted increased number of elderly was ascribed to the success of health promotion and improvement of social and economic status (Kinsella and Taeuber, 1993). Metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular diseases are closely related with the aging process. Central obesity and insulin resistance as the initial preconditions and its Continue reading >>

Type 2 Diabetes
Print Overview Type 2 diabetes, once known as adult-onset or noninsulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar (glucose), your body's important source of fuel. With type 2 diabetes, your body either resists the effects of insulin — a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into your cells — or doesn't produce enough insulin to maintain a normal glucose level. More common in adults, type 2 diabetes increasingly affects children as childhood obesity increases. There's no cure for type 2 diabetes, but you may be able to manage the condition by eating well, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight. If diet and exercise aren't enough to manage your blood sugar well, you also may need diabetes medications or insulin therapy. Symptoms Signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes often develop slowly. In fact, you can have type 2 diabetes for years and not know it. Look for: Increased thirst and frequent urination. Excess sugar building up in your bloodstream causes fluid to be pulled from the tissues. This may leave you thirsty. As a result, you may drink — and urinate — more than usual. Increased hunger. Without enough insulin to move sugar into your cells, your muscles and organs become depleted of energy. This triggers intense hunger. Weight loss. Despite eating more than usual to relieve hunger, you may lose weight. Without the ability to metabolize glucose, the body uses alternative fuels stored in muscle and fat. Calories are lost as excess glucose is released in the urine. Fatigue. If your cells are deprived of sugar, you may become tired and irritable. Blurred vision. If your blood sugar is too high, fluid may be pulled from the lenses of your eyes. This may affect your ability to focus. Slow-healing sores o Continue reading >>

Cardiovascular And Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors In Liberian Nurses
Abstract Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disorders are fast growing global health burdens especially in low and middle income countries. The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors of these diseases among male and female nurses in Liberia. The random sample of this cross-sectional study was collected from 95 Liberian nurses (63 females and 32 males) who had attended the International Nursing Education Conference in Monrovia. Data about body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were collected. The relationships between the measured risk factors and fasting blood glucose were explored using regression analysis. Over 29% of females and 31% of males had one or more of the measured cardiovascular and type 2 diabetes risk factors. Among females, 50% were overweight or obese or centrally obese, 20% had elevated SBP and DBP, and 70% had elevated FBG. Among males, 45% were overweight or obese or centrally obese, 20% had elevated SBP and DBP, and 66% had elevated FBG. BMI was positively related to WC among both females and males. WC was positively related to SBP and DBP and FBG among both females and males. BMI had a significant relationship with SBP and DBP and FBG among both females and males. These observations suggest that reducing the identified risk factors may be important for primary prevention and management of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. Download full-size image Fig. 2. Relationships between waist circumference and systolic and diastolic blood pressure and fasting blood glucose for women (left) and men (right). Download full-size image Fig. 3. Relationships between body mass index and systolic and diastolic blood pressure and fasting blood glucose for w Continue reading >>

What Causes Type 2 Diabetes?
Causes of Type 2 Diabetes We all know the simplest way to check for diabetes is to see if you have too much sugar in your blood. This is most reliably measured by the HbA1c test, which measures how much sugar is coating your red blood cells on average over roughly 120 days. There are other tests too, that some doctors believe are better at catching diabetes earlier, at the prediabetes stage. When we ask “what causes Type 2 diabetes?” we can answer this question in two ways. One, we can look at the factors that are known to increase the risk of diabetes and two, we can look at what actually happens in the body, as a mechanism, before you develop a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Let’s look at both. Risk Factors Associated with Diabetes 1. Genetics If you have a close family member with diabetes, it increases your chances of developing Type 2 Diabetes significantly. Mind you, like all genetics, we know from research that this is not a dead end. ‘Epigenetics’ or how you live plays as important a role. You can greatly improve your odds of beating your genetics by living right. 2. Being Overweight Obesity contributes a whopping 80-85% to the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. One of the mechanisms best understood for how being obese contributes to diabetes involves having too much abdominal fat, which leads to an “on fire” or inflamed state of your body. You can read more on this process later in this article. It is for this very reason that weight loss is one of the most effective ways of reducing diabetes risk and if you are already diabetic, of improving your diabetes control. 3. Having High Blood Pressure or Cholesterol … are factors that contribute to the phenomenon called Metabolic Syndrome that is thought of as being the precursor to diabetes. There are se Continue reading >>

Type 2 Diabetes: Know Your Risk Factors
About 75 million Americans either have type 2 diabetes or are on their way to developing it. Your risk increases as you get older (over 45 years old), if you are overweight or obese, or if you if you carry most of your weight around your abdomen. Having any of the following factors also puts you at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes: You are African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, Native American or Pacific Islander You have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes You are generally physically inactive You’ve already been told you have pre-diabetes You had gestational diabetes or a baby who weighed more than nine pounds Your blood pressure is 140/90 or above Your triglyceride level is above 250 mg/dl or your HDL is below 35 mg/dl You are a woman who has Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) The more risk factors you have, the higher your chance of developing type 2 diabetes. If you have any of the above risk factors, ask your health care provider to test you for diabetes. “In many instances type 2 diabetes can be prevented or its progress can be slowed by following various lifestyle interventions. Therefore, it’s very important to get tested if you have any of the risk factors,” advises Jeanne Spellman, RD, Joslin Diabetes Center. Continue reading >>

Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors
Type 2 diabetes has many risk factors associated with it, mostly related to lifestyle choices. Type 2 diabetes develops when glucose—which our bodies need for energy—stays in the blood and can’t get into the cells. This occurs when the pancreas either doesn’t make enough insulin or the body doesn’t use the insulin as it should, leading to insulin resistance. About Insulin Resistance Insulin resistance means your body cannot use the insulin your body makes. Your body may produce sufficient amounts of insulin to transport glucose to the cells, but the body resists the insulin. As a result, glucose builds up in the blood and causes symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes. Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes But in order to develop insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, you must also have a genetic abnormality. Along the same lines, some people with type 2 don’t produce enough insulin; that is also due to a genetic abnormality. That is, not everyone can develop type 2 diabetes. Additionally, not everyone with a genetic abnormality will develop type 2 diabetes; these risk factors and lifestyle choices influence the development. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include: Family history: Type 2 diabetes has a hereditary factor. If someone in your close family has (or had) it, you are more likely to develop it. Race/ethnicity: Certain ethnic groups are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, including African-Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and Asian Americans. It’s interesting to point out that as certain countries have become more Westernized and their lifestyle choices—particularly their food choices—have become more “American,” the incidence of type 2 diabetes has gone up. For instance, China used to have a low rate of type 2 diabe Continue reading >>

Causes Of Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is a number of diseases that involve problems with the hormone insulin. While not everyone with type 2 diabetes is overweight, obesity and lack of physical activity are two of the most common causes of this form of diabetes. It is also responsible for about 90% to 95% of diabetes cases in the United States, according to the CDC. This article will give you a better understanding of the causes of type 2 diabetes, what happens in the body when type 2 diabetes occurs, and specific health problems that increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Each section links to more in-depth information on that topic. In a healthy person, the pancreas (an organ behind the stomach) releases insulin to help the body store and use the sugar from the food you eat. Diabetes happens when one or more of the following occurs: When the pancreas does not produce any insulin. When the pancreas produces very little insulin. When the body does not respond appropriately to insulin, a condition called "insulin resistance." Unlike people with type 1 diabetes, people with type 2 diabetes produce insulin; however, the insulin their pancreas secretes is either not enough or the body is unable to recognize the insulin and use it properly (insulin resistance). When there isn't enough insulin or the insulin is not used as it should be, glucose (sugar) can't get into the body's cells and builds up in the bloodstream instead. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it causes damage in multiple areas of the body. Also, since cells aren't getting the glucose they need, they can't function properly. To understand why insulin is important, it helps to know more about how the body uses food for energy. Your body is made up of millions of cells. To make energy, these cells need food in a Continue reading >>

Prediabetes
Prediabetes You’re at risk for developing prediabetes if you: Are overweight Are 45 years or older Have a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes Are physically active less than 3 times a week Have ever had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) or given birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds Are African American, Hispanic/Latino American, American Indian, or Alaska Native (some Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans are also at higher risk) You can prevent or reverse prediabetes with simple, proven lifestyle changes such as losing weight if you’re overweight, eating healthier, and getting regular physical activity. The CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program can help you make healthy changes that have lasting results. Type 2 Diabetes You’re at risk for developing type 2 diabetes if you: Have prediabetes Are overweight Are 45 years or older Have a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes Are physically active less than 3 times a week Have ever had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) or given birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds Are African American, Hispanic/Latino American, American Indian, or Alaska Native (some Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans are also at higher risk) You can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes with simple, proven lifestyle changes such as losing weight if you’re overweight, eating healthier, and getting regular physical activity. Type 1 Diabetes Type 1 diabetes is thought to be caused by an immune reaction (the body attacks itself by mistake). Risk factors for type 1 diabetes are not as clear as for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Known risk factors include: Family history: Having a parent, brother, or sister with type 1 diabetes. Age: You can get type 1 diabetes at any age, but Continue reading >>

Type 2 Diabetes A Risk Factor For Falls In Elderly
In a study of older patients, both diabetic and non-diabetic, poor balance and diabetes were shown to be independent risk factors. According to multivariate logistic regression models, diabetes was found to be a major risk factor even after poor balance is corrected. "Systematic medication reviews, specific balance exercises and cognitive training" might be helpful to minimize fall risk in elderly with diabetes, said the authors. PLoS ONE 8(6):e67055.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0067055 Continue reading >>

Hypertension Is An Independent Risk Factor For Type 2 Diabetes: The Korean Genome And Epidemiology Study
Hypertension and diabetes share common risk factors and frequently co-occur. Although high blood pressure (BP) was reported as a significant predictor of type 2 diabetes, little is known about this association in Korea. This study investigated the relationship of prehypertension and hypertension with type 2 diabetes in 7150 middle-aged Koreans, as well as the effect of BP control on diabetes development over 8 years. At 8 years, 1049 (14.7%) of the 7150 participants had newly developed diabetes, including 11.2, 16.7 and 21.5% of baseline normotensive, prehypertensive and hypertensive subjects, respectively. The overall incidence rate of diabetes was 22.3 events per 1000 person-years. Subjects with baseline prehypertension (hazard ratio (HR), 1.27; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.09–1.48) and hypertension (HR 1.51; 95% CI, 1.29–1.76) were at higher risk of diabetes than normotensive subjects after controlling for potential confounders (P-value for trend <0.001). These associations persisted even when subjects were stratified by baseline glucose status, sex and body mass index (BMI). The risk of diabetes was significantly higher in subjects who had normal BP at baseline and progressed to prehypertention or hypertension at 8 years (HR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.20–1.83) than those with controlled BP, but these associations were not observed in subjects with baseline prehypertension and hypertension. These findings showed that prehypertension and hypertension are significantly associated with the development of diabetes, independent of baseline glucose status, sex and BMI. Active BP control reduced incident diabetes only in normotensive individuals, suggesting the need for early BP management. The worldwide incidence of diabetes has increased significantly,1 with the number of Continue reading >>
- Conjoint Associations of Gestational Diabetes and Hypertension With Diabetes, Hypertension, and Cardiovascular Disease in Parents: A Retrospective Cohort Study
- Maternal obesity as a risk factor for early childhood type 1 diabetes: a nationwide, prospective, population-based case–control study
- Genome | Personalized Insulin Pumps Help Patients With Type 1 Diabetes

Understanding Risk Factors For Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that causes dangerously high blood sugar levels. The most common form is Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes results when the body does not make enough insulin or develops insulin resistance. Many people with Type 2 diabetes are not aware they have the disease. Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes that you can’t change include: Family history A blood relative with diabetes significantly increases your risk. Race or ethnic background African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders have a greater chance of developing Type 2 diabetes. Age Adults 45 and older are at increased risk of developing the disease. History of gestational diabetes Diabetes during pregnancy also increases the risk of future diabetes. Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes that you can change include: Being overweight/obese Losing 5 to 7 percent of your body weight can cut your risk of developing diabetes in half. Risk of the disease continues to decrease with additional weight loss. Physical inactivity Achieving 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week can improve how well your body uses insulin and help you avoid type 2 diabetes. Unhealthy food choices Diets low in fiber and high in fats have been linked to increased risk of diabetes. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables may help to prevent diabetes. Controlling the risk factors that you can change can help prevent Type 2 diabetes and improve your quality of life. — Michael Gardner, MD, endocrinologist at MU Health Care Continue reading >>