While consuming so much sugar is one of the key causes of type 2 diabetes, certain individuals appear to oversimplify the problem and believe it to be the only concern, even though things are more complicated than that. There are various genetic and lifestyle variables that can potentially lead a person to develop this disease over his or her lifetime. Note that juvenile or type 1 diabetes develops at an early age and comes with particular risk factors unrelated to the lifestyle of an individual. In any case, we are here to clarify the seven risk factors for both forms of diabeates.
1. Obesity and Being Overweight
A significant risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes is having an elevated BMI or becoming obese. A high BMI may be attributed to several different variables, ranging from too little exercise or a bad and unhealthy diet.
More data is given on their website by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. The body max index charts on their website can calculate the risk of getting this disease reliably. [1] Remember, however, that the risk factor is ethnicity-dependent. If you’re an Asian American, for example, you’re more likely to develop this disease with a BMI greater than 23. Furthermore, when it comes to BMI, the Pacific Islanders have a cap of 26, and everybody else has 25.
2. Family History of Diabetes
Recently, the Mayo Clinic[2] released a report covering vital information about type 1 d. , which is thought of as an autoimmune disease that prevents the capacity of a diabetic to break down from their pancreas carbs and blood glucose.
They explain that when you have a family history of the condition, the likelihood of having type 1 d. is significantly increased. Besides, some genes have also been related to an elevated risk of type 1 d..
3. Big Babies
This may be a little known fact even amongst the general public, but a major chance for type 2 d. is giving birth to a baby heavier than 9 pounds. In addition to adversely affecting the mother and infant if not adequately handled and treated, having gestational diabetes will also raise the risk of contracting the condition at a later stage.
4. High Cholesterol Levels
One additional risk for type 2 d. is getting elevated levels of ‘bad’ or LDL cholesterol in blood samples. And, according to the American Heart Association, those who are still diabetics will cause even more severe complications if their elevated LDL count is left unchecked. [4] The
Diabetes, sadly, decreases “good” or HDL cholesterol and increases levels of triglycerides and HDL. This, in particular, adds to a greater risk of stroke and heart failure and is a common disorder called diabetic dyslipidemia.
5. Not Enough Exercise
Although consuming unhealthy food in moderation is a healthy first move, John Muir Health notes that it does not relieve you from the possibility of having type 2 d. due to a lack of exercise. [4] As you lose weight by consuming a balanced diet and having enough exercise, glucose and insulin tend to be used more efficiently by the muscle cells, thereby reducing the risk. For very little exercise or physical activity, muscles start to lose sensitivity to insulin, so remaining healthy is vital whether you want to avoid or delay diabetes.
6. Autoimmune Conditions
Autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 d., will boost the risk of having it, particularly though you’re pregnant. Multiple sclerosis, pernicious anemia (causing vitamin B-12 deficiency), and Grave’s disease are autoimmune diseases that can influence the onset of diabetes (affects the thyroid gland).
7. Age
Age[5] can be a major influence when it comes to type 2 d., according to HealthLine. Older or middle-aged adults have the greatest risk of having type 2 d., with 2012 studies showing that individuals between 45 and 64 were the most commonly diagnosed, in addition to being the age group with the fastest rate of diabetes progression. For the 1.7 million new patients with this disease in 2012, approximately 370,000 were between the ages of 22 and 44, almost 900,000 were between the ages of 45 and 64, and 400,000 were 65 or older.
As you can see, the risk of having both type 1 and type 2 d. can be raised by several different factors. Genetics, family background, and lifestyle decisions can play a huge part if you wind up being diagnosed, so it’s better to reduce anything you can control if you’re already a diabetic, as well as track and improve your wellbeing.
[1] https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/risk-factors-type-2-diabetes
[2] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-1-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20353011
[3] https://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/Diabetes/WhyDiabetesMatters/Cholesterol-Abnormalities-Diabetes_UCM_313868_Article.jsp#.WgITQxNSzgE
[4] https://www.johnmuirhealth.com/health-education/conditions-treatments/diabetes-articles/preventing-diabetes.html
[5] https://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes-age-of-onset#overview1
