Diabetes is a disease of the endocrine system. There are three main types: type 1 or juvenile diabetes, type 2 or adult onset diabetes and gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy. There are many myths and pieces of misinformation when it comes to understanding diabetes. There are several causes and risk factors for developing diabetes, and sometimes just one or several things play a part in the diagnosis of the disease.
Obesity
Eating candy alone does not give you diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. However, if you are overweight or obese and eat sweets, you have an increased risk for developing diabetes. Obesity and being overweight is a great risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. With type 2 or adult onset diabetes, your body still may make insulin but the cells begin to reject the insulin that your body naturally makes. When this occurs, glucose begins to build up in your bloodstream--this is where diabetes can start to do damage to your internal organs. People with type 2 diabetes who are obese are also at a great risk for heart disease. Minimizing candy and sweets and working at taking the extra pounds off can help you reduce developing type 2 diabetes or, if you already have it, help you manage it properly.
Genetics
Whether or not you enjoy eating candies and sweets from time to time, you may still develop diabetes, especially if you have a genetic predisposition, explains the American Diabetes Association. In some cases, diabetes, especially type 1 or juvenile diabetes, can be traced back through your genes. If you had a parent or grandparent with type 1 diabetes, your risk is greater than if family members were never diagnosed with diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can also stem from genetics and if you are overweight, your risk increases. In addition to genetic factors, there may be other causes such as not breastfeeding as a baby, eating solid foods early on, living in a cold environment and having a virus as a child.
Poor Eating Habits
Eating candy, sweets and other sugar laden treats in moderation should not affect your blood glucose levels long-term. If you engage in an unhealthy lifestyle that includes processed foods or minimal amounts of fruits and vegetables, you are increasing your risk for type 2 diabetes. This is because poor eating habits, lead to weight gain--one of the main contributors to type 2 diabetes. Eat from the food groups daily, including lean proteins such as beans, chicken and lean beef. Fruits and vegetables are equally important. Low-fat dairy including cottage cheese and yogurt provides calcium your body needs and is a good substitute for high-sugar and high carbohydrate ice cream and smoothies.
Unknown Causes
In some cases you can develop diabetes and not have any pre-existing risk factors. Whether you consume a lot of candy or not and develop diabetes, your doctor will still treat your disease the same. Treatment will involve healthy diet choices that include green vegetables, lean and low-fat meats and dairy and small portions of fruit. Your doctor may conduct tests such as an A1C test, which determines how your body has been responding to blood glucose over the past three to six months. A fasting glucose test will also help determine the type of diabetes you have. Treatment of daily insulin injections or blood glucose lowering medication will likely be recommended.
