Type 2 diabetes is becoming a growing threat to society. Dr. Robin Goland, out of the Columbia University Medical Center, states that "10 percent of patients on a medical service in a hospital have diabetes." Type 2 diabetes largely is caused by poor exercise and nutritional habits.
Insulin Resistance
Type 2 diabetes is largely a result of the body becoming resistant to insulin. Although the exact reason for this occurrence is still unknown, it is believed to be related to factors such as inactivity, age, weight and race.
Inactivity
Those who are less active are at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Exercise has a direct effect on body weight, the use of glucose and the regulation of insulin.
Body Weight
A higher body weight contributes to the possible development of Type 2 diabetes. The more fat you hold, the more insulin-resistant your body becomes.
Age
Type 2 diabetes is especially common in older populations. This is due to the fact that as people age, the amount of exercise performed often decreases, body weight rises and muscles begin to atrophy.
Race
It's not entirely clear why Type 2 diabetes is more common with certain races, but Hispanics, African Americans, Asian Americans and Native Americans are all at a higher risk for development of this disease.
