Unveiling Diabetes Risk Factors: What You Must Know!

Last Updated on January 15, 2024 by Alexander Sennuga

Adequate awareness of diabetes risk factors by everyone is crucial. Otherwise, we are not doing one of the things that really matter. Why is that? NHS UK says it all. The current global prevalence of diabetes estimation is 415 million.

And, the disease is projected to affect 642 million people in the world by the year 2040.

Do you agree now that this is a wake-up call? So then what are the right steps to take?

The first step is obviously intensive awareness. And the next step is to know how to either prevent or reduce the risks, wherever possible.

What is actually diabetes again?

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which blood sugar is higher than normal. Unmanaged diabetes can lead to complications like blindness, nerve damage, and amputation. Also, it can lead to heart disease.

There are 3 main types of diabetes. These are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Type 1, also known as juvenile diabetes is caused by an autoimmune attack of the pancreas. The result? The pancreas produces little or no insulin to transport glucose in foods to the cells for energy.

Type 2 diabetes is mainly due to an unhealthy lifestyle and dietary habits. And it renders the body insensitive to insulin.

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes affecting pregnant women. But, in most cases, it disappears after the pregnancy.

This post will discuss the various risk factors for diabetes. Also, it will highlight which ones are avoidable and which are not.

Let’s dive right in…

Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes

Are you addicted to eating unhealthy foods? If yes, you may develop insulin resistance known as type 2 diabetes.  It is the same with unhealthy drinks. What to do instead? You will have to embrace only healthy foods that prevent you from having diabetes always.

We now look at some other important risk factors. Some of them are simply controllable, while some are not and would be classified as such below:

Overweight or obese

The number 1 risk factor for type 2 diabetes is overweight or obese. Being overweight causes insulin resistance. Due to other factors, you can still develop type 2 diabetes even if you are not overweight. You can control your weight.

Genetics or family history

You may develop type 2 diabetes if a family member had or has the disease. We can’t control this, unfortunately.

Abdominal fat

Storing fat in the abdomen, in particular, puts you at risk for type 2 diabetes. Experts have given the following guidelines:

• A man with a waist circumference greater than 101.6 centimeters or 40 inches is at risk.
• A woman with a waist circumference of more than 88.9 centimeters or 35 inches is at risk.

It is within your control to change your lifestyle and get a healthy body fat distribution.

Your age

As you age (more than 45 years old), you become less active and tend to gain weight. There is also the possibility of a loss of muscle mass. We will all age anyway, so you can’t do much to control aging.

Lack of adequate activity

Inadequate exercise puts you at risk, and you can control that. If you exercise well, your body can use glucose in the foods you eat. This then improves your body’s insulin sensitivity.

The other risk factors worth mentioning here are listed below:

• Uncontrolled prediabetes
• History of gestational diabetes

More on Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors

Your chances of developing type 2 diabetes depend on a combination of risk factors such as your genes and lifestyle. Although you can’t change risk factors such as family history, age, or ethnicity, you can change lifestyle risk factors around eating, physical activity, and weight. These lifestyle changes can affect your chances of developing type 2 diabetes.

Read about risk factors for type 2 diabetes below and see which ones apply to you. Taking action on the factors you can change can help you delay or prevent type 2 diabetes.

You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you

• are overweight or obese
• are age 45 or older
• have a family history of diabetes
• are African American, Alaska Native, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander
• have high blood pressure
• have a low level of HDL (“good”) cholesterol or a high level of triglycerides
• have a history of gestational diabetes or gave birth to a baby weighing 9 pounds or more
• are not physically active
• have a history of heart disease or stroke
• have depression NIH external link
• have polycystic ovary syndrome NIH external link, also called PCOS
• have acanthosis nigricans—dark, thick, and velvety skin around your neck or armpits

You can also take the Diabetes Risk Test to learn about your risk for type 2 diabetes.

[Source: niddk.nih.gov]

Body Mass Index (BMI) and your type 2 diabetes risk

To see if your weight puts you at risk for type 2 diabetes, find your height in the Body Mass Index (BMI) charts below. If your weight is equal to or more than the weight listed, you have a greater chance of developing the disease.

Source: [niddk.nhi.gov]

Gestational Diabetes Risk Factors

Gestational diabetes is the type of diabetes during the first pregnancy of a woman. It may also occur during the next pregnancy. Every year, it affects about 2 – 10% of pregnant women in the United States. This is so according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Usually, gestational diabetes disappears after pregnancy. Do you what unmanaged gestational diabetes can cause? It may lead to complications affecting the mother or baby or both later.

What are the risk factors for gestational diabetes (GDM)?

A woman is likely to develop the disease under one or more of these conditions:

• Overweight or obese before pregnancy
• Inadequate physical activity
• Existing prediabetes
• Family history of gestational diabetes
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) – a condition affecting the ovary of a woman
• Race/Ethnicity – common among blacks, Asian Americans, and American Indians
• Smoking during pregnancy
• History of stillbirth
• Gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy

This list is a bit long and frightening. One may think that all pregnant women would develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy. It is actually not the case. The good news is that less than 10% of pregnant women actually develop GDM. As stated earlier, that is the figure from the CDC. Again, the disease usually disappears after pregnancy.

Do you know the right advice for a woman intending to get pregnant? She should ensure the risk factors within her control are prevented. Also, being overweight or obese before pregnancy is particularly bad for the woman.

Type 1 Diabetes Risk Factors

Type 1 diabetes, unlike the other types of diabetes (type 2 and gestational) is unique. It is so because it has nothing to do with lifestyle or dietary causes. Rather, it is understood to be caused by an autoimmune attack of the body’s pancreas. So, the pancreas produces little or no insulin. The result? An external source of insulin will be needed to move glucose into the body’s cells for energy.

What then are the risk factors for this disease?

Studies have shown the following risk factors for this disease:

• Family history: A close family member like a parent or brother has the disease before
• Age (can occur at any age, but currently, it is predominant in children, teenagers, and young adults)
• Geographical origin
• Ethnicity
• Virus infections like German measles, coxsackie, and mum

Presently, what to do to prevent type 1 diabetes is unknown. Scientists are still making frantic efforts on this, anyway.

Conclusion

The diabetes risk factors discussion takes into consideration the 3 types of diabetes. These are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. The risk factors for type 2 and gestational diabetes are a bit similar. But, the ones for type 1 are quite unique.

This is not surprising as the disease itself is a unique type of diabetes.

Both type 2 and gestational diabetes have risk factors that are controllable. Thus these are preventable. Examples are overweight or obese, lack of adequate exercise, unhealthy diet, and smoking.

Unfortunately, some are not controllable. Examples are age, family history, and ethnicity.

Moreover, type 1 diabetes has 2 major risk factors. These are family history and age. Evidently, these are not controllable at all. As a result, the disease remains non-preventable for now.

FAQ

**Q: What are the risk factors for developing diabetes?**
A: The risk factors for developing diabetes include obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and gestational diabetes during pregnancy.

**Q: How does obesity contribute to the risk of developing diabetes?**
A: Obesity is a significant risk factor for diabetes as it increases insulin resistance and affects the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels. Excessive body fat can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes.

**Q: Does a sedentary lifestyle increase the risk of diabetes?**
A: Yes, a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of diabetes. Lack of physical activity and prolonged sitting time can contribute to weight gain, insulin resistance, and the development of type 2 diabetes.

**Q: Can family history affect the risk of developing diabetes?**
A: Yes, having a family history of diabetes increases the risk of developing the condition. If one or both parents have diabetes, it raises the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, although other risk factors also play a role.

**Q: Are high blood pressure and diabetes connected?**
A: Yes, high blood pressure and diabetes are often interlinked. People with diabetes are more likely to have high blood pressure, and vice versa. Managing blood pressure is crucial for individuals with diabetes to reduce the risk of complications.

**Q: How do high cholesterol levels impact the risk of diabetes?**
A: High cholesterol levels can increase the risk of developing diabetes. Elevated cholesterol levels can lead to atherosclerosis, which affects blood flow and insulin sensitivity, contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes.

**Q: What is gestational diabetes, and does it increase the risk of future diabetes?**
A: Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. Women who have had gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Lifestyle modifications and regular check-ups are crucial for managing this risk.

**Q: Can stress and anxiety influence the risk of developing diabetes?**
A: While stress and anxiety do not directly cause diabetes, chronic stress can affect blood sugar levels and contribute to unhealthy behaviors such as overeating or neglecting exercise, which increase the risk of developing diabetes.

**Q: How does age affect the risk of diabetes?**
A: Age is a risk factor for developing diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes. As individuals grow older, their risk increases, mainly due to decreased physical activity, muscle mass, and changes in hormone levels. However, diabetes can affect people of any age.

**Q: Can ethnicity play a role in the risk of diabetes?**
A: Yes, ethnicity can influence the risk of diabetes. Certain ethnic groups, such as African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Asian Americans, have a higher predisposition to developing diabetes compared to others.

**Q: Are there any preventive measures to reduce the risk of diabetes?**
A: Yes, several preventive measures can help reduce the risk of diabetes. Maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity, following a balanced diet, avoiding tobacco use, and managing stress effectively can all contribute to lowering the risk of developing diabetes.

**Q: How often should I get tested for diabetes if I have risk factors?**
A: If you have risk factors for diabetes, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate testing frequency. Typically, individuals with risk factors should undergo regular screenings every 3 years or more frequently based on their specific circumstances.

**Q: Can medications or medical conditions increase the risk of diabetes?**
A: Yes, certain medications and medical conditions can increase the risk of diabetes. Medications such as corticosteroids and antipsychotics, as well as medical conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and acromegaly, can influence insulin resistance and contribute to the development of diabetes.

**Q: Is there a link between sleep disorders and diabetes risk?**
A: Yes, sleep disorders, particularly obstructive sleep apnea, have been associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes. Disrupted sleep patterns and poor sleep quality can affect insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, contributing to the risk of diabetes.

**Q: Can a healthy lifestyle reduce the risk of developing diabetes?**
A: Yes, adopting a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of developing diabetes. By maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, managing stress, and avoiding harmful habits like smoking, individuals can lower their chances of developing diabetes.

**Q: Are women with a history of gestational diabetes more likely to develop diabetes in the future?**
A: Yes, women with a history of gestational diabetes have an increased likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Regular follow-ups with healthcare providers and making healthy lifestyle choices can help mitigate this risk.

Do you know of any other diabetes risk factors not mentioned here? Please share them in the comments section!

Very Important: PLEASE note the following. All the information we provide on this site is for educational purposes only. They are not for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

So, please consult with your doctor and/or registered dietitian/nutritionist. They are the ones to give you professional advice. Hence, do this before applying any of the information on your health issues.