Do You Have These Diabetes Risk Factors?

Why some individuals develop diabetes and others don't is not known with any degree of certainty. However, there appears to be two underlying factors that may point to developing diabetes. The most common one is genetic pre-disposition. Environmental triggers such as exposure to certain foods too early in an infant's life is the second factor.

With the possible exception of environmental triggers, why Type 1 diabetes happens is relatively difficult to ascertain. But unlike Type 1 diabetes, risk factors for Type 2 diabetes have been more readily identified. Genetics and family medical history play a large role in whether an individual will become diabetic. Fortunately, some of these risk factors can be prevented or reversed prior to the onset of Type 2 diabetes.

For Type II diabetes, obesity is the number one risk factor. Nearly 60 million adults qualify as obese in accordance with a study undertaken by the National Center of Health Statistics. Even more alarming is the study's finding that the instances of Type II diabetes in children has risen at greater rates. It should be no surprise that the number of overweight childhood has tripled since 1980.

A sedentary lifestyle lends itself to obesity and diabetes. Inactivity is damaging to health overall and it's definitely the cause for the rise in obesity. By not exercising or being more physically fit, you are compounding the risk of developing diabetes. You can take steps today to improve your health by starting up a simple program of exercise each day such as short walks that gradually increase in duration and pace.

Eating poorly or the wrong foods will also contribute to obesity. Studies show that almost 90% of people with Type 2 diabetes are also clinically obese. Lack of adequate fiber in the diet and too much fat and simple carbs increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Genetics and family history also factor into your risk of developing Type II diabetes. If you have a parent or sibling with Type II diabetes, then your own chances of developing diabetes are increased twofold.

One risk factor over which we have no control is our age. Each year we turn another year older, the risk of developing Type II diabetes is greater. Even those older people who are thin can get this disease. Scientists have speculated that our bodies, including our pancreas which control insulin production, age right along with us. As we get older, our pancreas doesn't function as efficiently as it may have when we were younger. Also, our cells age as we do and they become more resistant to insulin as the years pass.

Having high blood pressure is both a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes and a complication of diabetes. People with hypertension are more than twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those with normal blood pressure. High cholesterol (high LDL and triglyceride: so-called "bad cholesterols") levels also place you at increased risk for developing diabetes and is also associated with risk of heart disease.

Type 2 diabetes increases by up to 50 percent in women who have diabetes during pregnancy. Known as gestational diabetes mellitus or GDM, it places both mother and child at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes in later years.

Ethnicity also plays a large role in determining risk of developing Type II diabetes. Numerous studies have evidenced that African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are all at increased risk of developing Type II diabetes.

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Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of adults and children. Learn why are Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes so dangerous and what the symptoms of diabetes are at DiabetesCareFAQs.com

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