Your chances of developing type 2 diabetes depend on a combination of risk factors. Although you cannot change risk factors related to family history, age, race, or ethnicity, you may be able to avoid some risk factors by maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active.
What are the risk factors for type 2 diabetes? You can develop type 2 diabetes at any age. You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you:
• Are overweight or have obesity
• Are age 35 or older. Children and teens can also develop type 2 diabetes, but the risk increases as a person gets older
• Have a family history of diabetes
• Are African American, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino or Pacific Islander
• Are not physically active, because of physical limitations, a sedentary lifestyle, or a job that requires sitting for long periods of time
• Have prediabetes
• Have a history of gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, or gave birth to a baby weighing 9 pounds or more
Children and teens are also at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes if, in addition to the previous risk factors, they were born with a low birth weight or if their parent had gestational diabetes while pregnant with them.
Does your weight put you at risk for type 2 diabetes?
If you are overweight or obese, you may be able to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by losing weight and being more physically active. Even losing as little as five pounds can make a difference if you maintain the weight loss. Adding a 20-minute walk most days of the week can make a big difference, too.
To see if your weight may put you at risk for type 2 diabetes, learn about your body mass index and waist circumference (waistline measurement at your belly button). Adults can measure their BMI by taking their body weight in pounds, dividing that value by their height in inches squared, and multiplying the latter value by 703. You may also visit the CDCs BMI calculator to determine your body mass index. These two measurements can help you tell if you are at a healthy weight or are overweight or possibly even obese by medical criteria.
Another way to estimate your risk of developing diabetes is to measure your waist circumference (measure your waistline at the height of your belly button). Men have a higher risk of developing diabetes if their waist circumference is more than 40 inches, while women who are not pregnant have a higher risk if their waist circumference is more than 35 inches. Having a large waist circumference is a risk factor for diabetes and heart disease, even if you have a normal BMI.
What is prediabetes?
More than 84 million people ages 18 and older have prediabetes in the United States. That is about 1 out of every 3 adults. Prediabetes means your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Prediabetes usually occurs in people who have insulin resistance (the body does not respond to insulin normally and blood glucose levels rise) or whose pancreas is not making enough insulin to keep blood glucose in the normal range. Without enough insulin, extra glucose (sugar) stays in your bloodstream rather than entering your cells.
Who is more likely to develop insulin resistance or prediabetes? People who have genetic or lifestyle risk factors are more likely to develop insulin resistance or prediabetes. Risk factors include those noted above for diabetes and:
• Polycystic ovary syndrome, also called PCOS
• Metabolic syndrome – a combination of high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, and large waist size
• Certain medicines, such as glucocorticoids (steroids), some antipsychotics, and some medicines for HIV
• Sleep problems, especially sleep apnea
How can I prevent or reverse insulin resistance and prediabetes?
Lifestyle changes can lower your chances of developing insulin resistance or prediabetes. Physical activity and losing weight if you need to may help your body respond better to insulin. Taking small steps, such as eating healthier foods and moving more to lose weight, can help reverse insulin resistance and prevent or delay type 2 diabetes in people with prediabetes. Speak with a healthcare provider to learn more about your risk and what you can do to prevent the development of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
For information about services and programs available to you through Carson City Health and Human Services, visit our website at www.gethealthycarsoncity.org, or give us a call at 775-887-2190. You can also find us at 900 E. Long St., in Carson City, or follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/cchhs, X @CCHealthEd, or Instagram @GetHealthCarsonCity.