10 Top Risks for Type 2 Diabetes
Making simple lifestyle changes can reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes by almost 60 percent. Learn how.
Your best defense against type 2 diabetes is to know and reduce your risks. Studies show that people who make simple lifestyle changes-such as eating healthy, staying physically active, and controlling their weight-can reduce their risk for type 2 diabetes by almost 60 percent.
Top risks factors for type 2 diabetes:
Being Overweight
Obesity is a significant risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. The more fat your body has, the more it resists insulin.
Your Body Shape
The more fat you carry around your waist (apple-shaped), the higher your risk for type 2 diabetes. People who carry more fat in their hips and thighs (pear-shaped) are less at risk.
Lack of Physical Activity
The more active you are, the better your chances for preventing type 2 diabetes. Regular exercise helps control your weight and stimulates your body to use insulin.
Your Family History
Having a parent, brother or sister with type 2 diabetes increases your risk for developing it, too.
Your Age
Your risk for type 2 diabetes increases as you get older, particularly after age 45. However, type 2 diabetes is significantly increasing in children as well.
Your Race
If you’re black, Hispanic, American Indian or Asian American, your risk for type 2 diabetes is higher.
Having Prediabetes
If you have prediabetes -when your blood sugar is higher than normal, but too low to be diabetes-your risk is higher for developing type 2 diabetes.
Having Gestational Diabetes
If you’ve had gestational diabetes during pregnancy, your risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life is higher.
Having a baby over 9 pounds
Giving birth to an extra large baby increases your risk for type 2 diabetes. And, your baby might have a greater chance of being obese and developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Using Alcohol and Tobacco
Drinking large amounts of alcohol can damage your pancreas and lead to diabetes. Using tobacco can increase your blood sugar, and if you’re a heavy smoker your risk for type 2 diabetes is tripled.
Liked it
