Who Develops Noninsulin-Dependent Diabetes?
Age, sex, weight, physical activity, diet, lifestyle, and family health history all affect someone's chances of developing diabetes. The chances that someone will develop diabetes increase if the person's parents or siblings have the disease.
While the chances of developing diabetes increase with age, gender isn't a risk factor, although African American women are more likely to develop diabetes than African American men.
While people can't change family history, age, or race, it is possible to control weight and physical fitness. A doctor can decide if someone is at risk for developing diabetes and offer advice on reducing that risk.
Points to Remember
The following factors increase someone's chances of developing diabetes.
- obesity
- family history of diabetes
- advancing age
What Causes Noninsulin-Dependent Diabetes?
While eating sugar, for example, doesn't cause diabetes, eating large amounts of sugar and other rich, fatty foods, can cause weight gain. Most people who develop diabetes are overweight.
Obesity is a major factor leading to noninsulin-dependentdiabetes.
Points to Remember
- In people with noninsulin-dependent diabetes, insulin doesn't lower blood sugar, a condition called insulin resistance.
- Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes.
