Type 2 Diabetes - What Are Your Chances of Developing Diabetes?

Did you know Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common form of diabetes around the world? The prevalence of Type 2 hovers around 90%, meaning most diabetics are dealing with a man-made disease that can be treated and managed. It can also be largely prevented. Unfortunately, prevention is not the norm. Most people become aware of their unnaturally high blood sugar levels when it is too late.

It pays to know the risk factors for the devastating health problem that is Type 2 diabetes. If more people were aware, there is much we could do to prevent it developing. Perhaps we would not see such alarming incidence rates.

Here is a concise list of the relevant risk factors for Type 2 diabetes...

Age. Those who are over the age of 40 have a higher danger of developing the disease. The risk increases with age.
Body weight. Being overweight/obese is a primary risk factor.
Body composition. The higher the body's fat composition, the higher the risk of high blood sugar readings. Waist size is a reliable indicator of body fat levels.
Gender. Men seem to be more susceptible than women. But the difference is negligible.
Physical inactivity. Those who are physically inactive are going to be more vulnerable to having high blood sugar levels and being overweight for a variety of reasons. In short, it is crucial to be physically active, because it is essential for the body to be in good health.
High blood pressure. Hypertension is correlated with an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Poor dietary habits. Eating frequently and consuming too many simple sugars are just a couple of examples of poor practices detrimental to the body's well-being in the long-term.
Having a history of unstable blood sugar levels. Having abnormally elevated blood sugar over an extended period is an indicator the individual may be more susceptible to diabetes. In this case, insulin inefficiency comes into play, which is partly genetic. Prediabetes also comes to mind.
The heredity factor. If diabetes runs in the family, the risk is going to be higher. But as always, it can be mitigated.
Having given birth to a large baby. For women, there is a theory giving birth to a baby weighing over 9 pounds is a risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. But in this case, it could be due to Gestational diabetes, which increases the mother's risk of developing the disease.
Ethnicity. African-Americans, Hispanics, many Asians and some Native populations are typically more vulnerable to diabetes.
Lastly, one more factor to complete the list is education. Those who are taught the foundational principles of nutrition and the importance of a physically active lifestyle are more likely to lead healthier lifestyles. In contrast, lacking instruction in this regard could increase the risk of having high blood sugar levels and weight gain, which eventually leads on to full-blown Type 2 diabetes.

Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.
For nearly 25 years, Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.

By Beverleigh H Piepers 

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