The risk factors involved in getting diabetes include genetic and environmental reasons. In type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease, people may be able to take measures to prevent it through diet and exercise. Type 1 diabetes usually affects children and young adults, who are often predisposed to the disease.
Excess Body Weight
Being overweight is a risk factor for diabetes. People may prevent diabetes by losing a little weight, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC). It is recommended people do this through a healthy diet and moderate exercise, about 30 minutes a day most days of the week. You may be able to lower the risk with just a 5- to 7-percent weight loss if you have excess body weight, the NDIC says.
Family History and Age
Two risk factors you can't really do much about are your family and your age. If you have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes, it can increase your risk. The risk increases for everyone as they get older. You should begin taking note when you reach age 45, the Mayo Clinic says. That may be because people become less active, lose muscle mass and gain more weight as they get older. However, there is an increase in the number of children and young adults suffering from type 2 diabetes. This may be related to youth obesity.
Race
It is not clear why certain races have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the Mayo Clinic says. African-Americans, Hispanics, American Indians and Asian-Americans are among the races that have higher rates of diabetes.
Prediabetes
People can be diagnosed with prediabetes if their blood sugar levels are above normal but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. But they are at an increased risk of getting the disease. These patients can take steps to avoid developing diabetes. That includes adopting a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
Pregnancy
A shortage of insulin may develop during pregnancy in some women and cause gestational diabetes. This form of diabetes needs to be treated during pregnancy to avoid any complications in delivery and for the baby. It usually develops late in pregnancy and ends after pregnancy. However, some women may develop type 2 diabetes later on.
Type 1 Risks
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults when the cells of the pancreas are no longer able to make insulin. Having a parent who has had type 1 diabetes increases the risk of developing it. Other possible risks may include being ill in early infancy, having an older mother or having a mother who had pre-eclampsia, a dangerous condition developed in late pregnancy.
