Type 2 Diabetes Causes and Risk Factors

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• QWhat causes type 2 diabetes?

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  A American Diabetes Association answered

  Type 2 diabetes has a stronger link to family history and lineage than type 1, although it too depends on environmental factors. Studies of twins have shown that genetics play a very strong role in the development of type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle also influences the development of type 2 diabetes. Obesity tends to run in families, and families tend to have similar eating and exercise habits.

  If you have a family history of type 2 diabetes, it may be difficult to figure out whether your diabetes is due to lifestyle factors or genetic susceptibility. Most likely it is due to both. However, don't lose heart. Studies show that it is possible to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes by exercising and losing weight.

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• QWho is at risk for type 2 diabetes?

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  A American Diabetes Association answered

  Those at risk for type 2 diabetes include:

  • People with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and/or impaired fasting glucose (IFG)
  • People over age 45
  • People with a family history of diabetes
  • People who are overweight
  • People who do not exercise regularly
  • People with low HDL cholesterol or high triglycerides, high blood pressure
  • Certain racial and ethnic groups (e.g., Non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanic/Latino Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and American Indians and Alaska Natives)
  • Women who had gestational diabetes, or who have had a baby weighing 9 pounds or more at birth

  Find out if you are at risk for prediabetes or diabetes at www.diabetes.org/risktest

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• QWhat are risk factors for type 2 diabetes and heart disease?

  1 Answer

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  A American Diabetes Association answered

  There are many things, called risk factors, that affect your risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Some of these you can change, like whether or not you smoke, and some you can't, like your age. It's important to know where you stand in your risk for diabetes and heart disease. Once you know your risk, you can take steps to lower your risk so you can lead a longer, healthier life.
  
  Either way, understanding and managing your risk can help you prevent diabetes and heart disease and live a longer, better life.
  
  Risk factors include:
  

  • Overweight
  • High blood glucose (sugar)
  • History of diabetes during pregnancy, called gestational diabetes (for women)
  • High blood pressure
  • Unhealthy cholesterol
  • Physical inactivity
  • Smoking
  • Unhealthy eating
  • Age, race, gender, and family history
• QHow can my body shape affect my risk of type 2 diabetes?

  1 Answer

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  A American Diabetes Association answered

  Did you know that being an apple shape (more fat around your middle) rather than a pear shape (more fat around your hips) puts you at greater risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease? Another measure you can take is of how far it is around your waist (your waist circumference).
  
  Take a tape measure (a flexible one is best) and place it snugly (not tight) around your waist. Compare the length around your waist to the number below. If the length of your waist is the same or bigger than the numbers below, you have too much weight around your waist.

  • Men: over 40 inches
  • Women: over 35 inches
• QDoes type 2 diabetes cause other health problems?

  2 Answers

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Type 2 diabetes causes other health problems, especially if blood sugar levels are not well controlled. Type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, vision problems and blindness, kidney disease and kidney failure, nerve damage and amputations.

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• QWhat is the vicious cycle that leads to type 2 diabetes?

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  A Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answered

  Your blood glucose level is monitored by cells in your pancreas that are the lone producers of insulin, the hormone that transports glucose from the outside to the inside of your cells so your body can transform that glucose into usable energy.
  
  When the alarm sounds to make more insulin to help transport the extra blood glucose, the body can act like a chubby runner at the front of a marathon; it just can't keep up. It huffs and puffs and makes more insulin, but the demand is just too great.
  
  A person with type 2 diabetes has lost this glucose-insulin struggle. And so a vicious cycle begins: It made sense for us to store fat to survive when we were likely to have famines periodically or failed bison hunts, but today that fat causes insulin resistance, which makes us eat more, which causes more fat, which is associated with eating more, so we accumulate more fat, which causes more insulin resistance, and so on.
• QCan stress cause type 2 diabetes?

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  A American Diabetes Association answered

  After lots of studies and research, the best we can say is maybe. Stress can elevate blood glucose levels. Sometimes this is the direct effect of stress hormones. Other times, it's because stress leads people to eat more and be less active, which can also raise blood glucose levels. We know this is true for people who already have diabetes. So, it seems likely that if your blood glucose levels are already higher than normal (but not yet high enough to call it diabetes), stress could push your levels into the diabetes range.

  So the stress of a serious life event, such as the death of a loved one or the loss of a job, could play a part in developing diabetes. However, it is likely you would have eventually developed diabetes anyway as insulin resistance increased or insulin production decreased.

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• QDoes obesity cause type 2 diabetes?

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  A Dr. Ronald Tamler, MD , Endocrinology Diabetes & Metabolism, answered on behalf of The Mount Sinai Health System

  

  Being overweight can affect the body's ability to use insulin. In this video, Ronald Tamler, MD, clinical director of the Mount Sinai Diabetes Center, discuses insulin resistance, diabetes and obesity.

  

  Find out more about this DVD:

  Why Does Obesity Raise My Risk for Developing Type 2 Diabetes?
  Buy DVD

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• QAs a new mother, how can I lower my risk for type 2 diabetes?

  1 Answer

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  A American Diabetes Association answered

  Here are some things you can do to lower your risk for type 2 diabetes:
  

  • Lose weight. Are you more than 20% over your ideal body weight? Losing even a few pounds can help you prevent type 2 diabetes.
  • Make healthy food choices. Follow simple daily guidelines, like eating enough fresh vegetables and fruits, and whole grains. Limit fat to 30% or less of your daily calories, and watch your portion sizes. Healthy eating habits can go a long way in preventing diabetes and other health problems.
  • Stay active. Regular exercise can help prevent type 2 diabetes. Plus it can help you lose weight, manage stress, and feel better. Learn more about physical activity
  • Breastfeed. If you can, breastfeed your baby. Breastfeeding can provide both short- and long-term benefits to both your baby and to you.
  • Talk to your doctor. Be sure to tell your health care providers that you've had GDM.