Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition, affecting the way the body uses its main source of fuel--glucose, or sugar as it is better known. The body is either resistant to insulin, a hormone the body produces to help regulate the movement of glucose into the cells of the body, or doesn't produce enough of it. A number of risk factors and causes are known, which may help prevent the onset of this condition.
Being Overweight
A risk factor one can clearly control, the Mayo Clinic states that being overweight is a primary risk factor for type 2 diabetes. The more fatty tissue you have, the more resistant your cells become to the insulin your body produces. The American Diabetes Association adds that American and Europeans eat diets too high in fats and too low in carbohydrates and fiber; type 2 diabetes is common in people with these eating habits.
Being Inactive
The more inactive a person is, the greater their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Physical activity not only helps a person manage their weight, it also burns excess sugar and makes their cells more sensitive to the effects of insulin.
Family History
The risk of diabetes increases when a parent or sibling has this condition, according to the Mayo Clinic. The American Diabetes Association adds that genetics may not tell the whole story, and environmental factors may be a larger contributing factor. Children live by what they see; therefore, those who know nothing but poor eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle are at a greater risk for developing diabetes.
Age
While the incidents of type 2 diabetes is becoming more prevalent among children and adolescents, according to the Mayo Clinic, the risk of developing this condition tends to increase as a person ages. People over the age of 45 are at greatest risk due to weight gain, a more sedentary lifestyle and a loss of muscle mass.
Gestational Diabetes
Women who develop gestational diabetes during their pregnancy are at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life, according to both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Mayo Clinic. Giving birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds also increases a woman's risk.
