What are the Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes?

Knowledge of risk factors helps people identify and manage diabetes before it causes problems. A complex range of genetic and environmental factors can increase the risk of diabetes. Some risk factors, such as age, genetics and ethnicity, do not change much apart from weight, but lifestyle factors can change significantly. Certain diseases can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Read further to know what are the risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

Obesity

Being overweight increases the risk of insulin resistance because fat impairs the body's ability to use insulin effectively. Researchers are not sure why weight increases the risk of diabetes, but some suggest that extra weight makes the body more sensitive to insulin and thus less effective. Losing weight and changing your diet can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

High Blood Pressure & Cholesterol

If you have high blood pressure or cholesterol, your risk of developing diabetes may also increase. High blood pressure and high cholesterol not only mean potential damage to the heart vessels, but they are also two key components of metabolic syndrome, a collection of symptoms that include obesity, a high waist-to-hip ratio and high blood pressure. Your risk is increased if you have pre-diabetes, a precursor to Type 2 diabetes or if a close family member has type 2 diabetes such as a parent or sibling.

Sedentary lifestyle

Losing 5 to 7 percent of the body weight can lower your risk of developing diabetes. 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week can improve your body's insulin consumption and help you avoid type 2 diabetes. A brisk 30-minute walk, five days a week at least, has been shown to reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

A person cannot avoid some risk factors such as age and race, but they can take steps to reduce the harm done by others such as high blood pressure, obesity and poor nutrition. Dasman Institute has professionals who can help you control the risk factors that can go a long way to overcoming the effects of diabetes and the possibility of developing the disease.

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