The risk factors for type 2 diabetes

Obesity. Being overweight is a leading risk factor for type 2 diabetes. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is the standard for determining body weight relative to health for most patients in the age group of 20 to 65 (excluding the highly conditioned such as athletes, or women who are nursing or pregnant.) A Body Mass Index in excess of 27 signals a risk for type 2 diabetes, and other complications such as heart disease, and early death.

Having an apple-shaped figure (too much fat above the hips) generally signals a greater risk factor for type 2 diabetes than for individuals with a pear-shaped figure (too much fat in the thighs and hips). Males with a waist measurement of larger than 39.5 in. (100 cm), and females, larger than 37.5 in. (95 cm) are considered to be at greater risk.

Age: The risk of type 2 diabetes increases with age. Those over 45 are at a greater risk than their younger counterparts and those over 65 are three times as high as people in the 35 to 64 age group.

Sedentary lifestyle: Exercising regularly and keeping your weight under control reduces your chances for getting type 2 diabetes. Those who have the disease should see an improvement in blood sugar levels as well.

If type 2 diabetes is present in a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) you are at risk too.

History of Diabetes in Pregnancy: Nearly 4 out of every 10 women who have diabetes during pregnancy eventually develop type 2. Usually within the decade following birth.

Those with impaired glucose tolerance, also called impaired fasting glucose have a risk factor for type 2 diabetes that can occur prior to the development of type 2 . While those affected are not considered to have diabetes, their blood sugar is considered to be abnormal placing them at higher risk for heart disease as well as type 2. Glucose tolerance progressively declines as we age, and there is a high rate of type 2 diabetes and post challenge hyperglycemia in the older population.

Ancestry plays a key role. Earlier screening is encouraged for people with high-risk ethnicity such as Native American, African American, Pacific Island, and South Asian.

High Blood Pressure: This risk factor for type 2 diabetes is present in up to to 60 percent of people with undiagnosed diabetes.

High Cholesterol: Among those with diabetes more than 40 percent have abnormally high cholesterol levels.

Article Source: http://www.myaddirectory.com

It's wise to know the type 2 diabetes risk factors and John Richmond, a frequent contributor to YourDiabetesInfo.com and diabetes researcher has other interesting articles there as well.

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