The exact causes of type 2 diabetes aren’t completely understood, but it is known that the disease has a strong hereditary component. Individuals who have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes have 10 to 15% chance of developing the disease (the risk is much higher if the sibling is an identical twin). Environmental factors like an inactive lifestyle or poor diet may act as a trigger for someone with a genetic tendency towards type 2 diabetes. Other potential causes of type 2 include chronic stress, low birth weight (and associated fetal malnourishment), and gene mutations.
Diabetes risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes include:
Overweight or obesity. Having a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or more Heredity. Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes Ethnicity Being of African American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian American, Pacific Islander or Latino American descent Gestational diabetes A history of gestational diabetes, or having at least one baby weighing more than 9 pounds at birth Hypertension. High blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or higher Poor cholesterol profile. HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol) levels of 35 or lower and/or triglyceride levels of 250 or higher Inactivity. Living a sedentary lifestyle (i.e.,exercising less than three times a week) Being an older adult. Approximately 18.4% of Americans over age 65 have type 2 diabetes Having diagnosed prediabetes According to the National Institutes of Health, an estimated 80% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese (i.e., a BMI of 25 or higher). Here’s why excess fat increases insulin resistance:
Fat cells have fewer insulin receptors (the place where insulin binds to open the cell to glucose) than muscle cells. Fat cells release free fatty acids, and free fatty acids interfere with glucose metabolism. Excess glucose that can’t be used by the cells for energy is stored as body fat, increasing the cellular mass that the pancreas is trying to “feed” via insulin. In overweight people, insulin production is increased to meet.
