Are You At Risk?
There are many risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes. What are they and what can you do to cut the risk?
1. Obesity
The number one risk factor for type 2 diabetes is obesity. Higher weight increases your risk of insulin resistance. Fat interferes with the body’s ability to use insulin. You can lower your risk by implementing a “Healthy Lifestyle” of diet and exercise and keeping your body as strong and as healthy lean as you can make it.
2. Sedentary Lifestyle
Sedentary Lifestyles lead to obesity which as we saw above leads to type 2 diabetes. Inactivity and being overweight work together toward your diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Your Muscle cells have more insulin receptors than your fat cells, so you can decrease insulin resistance by exercising. Being more active lowers your blood sugar levels by helping your insulin be more effective. Do you want to lower your risk? Back to implementing a “Healthy Lifestyle” of diet and exercise and keeping your body as strong and as healthy lean as you can make it.
3. Poor Eating Habits
The largets percent of people who have type 2 diabetes are overweight and/or obese. Poor eating habits contribute to obesity. Too much fat, not enough fiber, and too many simple carbohydrates contribute to a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Do you want to lower your risk? Implementing a “Healthy Lifestyle” of diet and exercise can turn the diagnosis around and reverse or prevent type 2 diabetes.
4. Family History
People who have family members who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are at a greater risk for developing it themselves. African Americans, Hispanic-Americans and Native Americans all have a greater risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. Having a genetic history of type 2 diabetes does not mean you will be diagnosed. Remember, Implementing a “Healthy Lifestyle” of diet and exercise can turn the diagnosis around and reverse or prevent type 2 diabetes.
5. Growing Older
The older you get, the greater your risk of type 2 diabetes. Even if you are thin, you still may be predisposed to being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Your pancreas and your bodies cells age as you do, therefore your pancreas doesn’t pump insulin as efficiently as it did and your cells become more resistant to insulin than they were when you were younger. Continuing a “Healthy Lifestyle” of diet and exercise can turn the diagnosis around and reverse or prevent type 2 diabetes even in your prime years.
6. High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol
High blood pressure and high cholesterol are high risk factors for many diseases and conditions, including type 2 diabetes. They damage your heart vessels and are two key components in metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a group of metabolic symptoms in one person, including obesity, a high fat diet, and lack of exercise. Having metabolic syndrome increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Implementing a “Healthy Lifestyle” of diet and exercise can turn the diagnosis around and reverse or prevent high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.
7. History of Gestational Diabetes in women
Gestational diabetes affects a small percent of all pregnant women. About 4%. Hormones from the placenta make the mother insulin resistant. Many women who have gestational diabetes develop type 2 diabetes later in life. Babies of mothers with gestational diabetes are also at some risk for developing diabetes later in their life. Implementing a “Healthy Lifestyle” of diet and exercise can turn the diagnosis around and reverse or prevent high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.
