Top 8 Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors

01/14/2016
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Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors:
Some Diabetes Risk Factors are Modifiable

 

Diabetes prevalence in the United States is likely to increase for a number of reasons. First, a large segment of the population is aging. Second, Hispanics/Latinos and other minority groups at increased risk make up the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population. Third, Americans are increasingly overweight and sedentary.

Diabetes contributes to over 230,000 U.S. deaths per year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) projects the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in the United States will increase 165 percent by 2050. However, many people with type 2 diabetes aren’t even aware they have the disease and may already have developed various health complications associated with it.

Non-modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes
There are a number of factors that increase a person’s risk for developing pre-diabetes and, ultimately, type 2 diabetes.

Some of these characteristics are beyond a person’s control, such as:

  1. Age
    The older you are, the higher your risk. Generally, type 2 diabetes occurs in middle-aged adults, most frequently after age 45. However, healthcare providers are diagnosing more and more children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes.
  2. Family History
    If you have a blood relative with diabetes, your risk for developing it is significantly increased. Map out your family history tree and take it to your doctor to find out what it means for you.
  3. Race or Ethnic Background
    If you’re of African-American, Asian-American, Latino/Hispanic-American, Native American or Pacific Islander descent, you have a greater likelihood of developing diabetes.
  4. History of Gestational Diabetes
    If you developed diabetes during pregnancy, you are at increased risk.

 

Modifiable Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes
While some things that contribute to the development of diabetes are beyond a person's control, there are also a number of modifiable risk factors.

By making healthy changes in these areas, people can reduce their risks or delay the development of diabetes and improve their overall quality of life.

  1. Overweight / Obesity
    Being overweight puts you at a higher risk of developing diabetes. Losing five to seven percent of your body weight can cut your risk of developing pre-diabetes in half, and your risk decreases even more as you lose more weight.
  2. Physical Inactivity
    Along with overweight/obesity, physical inactivity ranks among the top modifiable risk factors for pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Achieving at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity or a combination of the two with muscle-strengthening at least 2 days per week is important for your overall cardiovascular health.
  3. High Blood Pressure (hypertension)
    In addition to causing damage to the cardiovascular system, untreated high blood pressure has been linked to the development of diabetes.
  4. Abnormal Cholesterol (lipid) levels
    Low HDL “good cholesterol” and/or high triglycerides can increase the risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. A healthy eating plan, sufficient aerobic physical activity, and a healthy weight can help improve abnormal lipids. Sometimes medications are necessary.

 

Health Complications of Diabetes
Diabetes can affect many major organs in your body, which can lead to an array of serious complications when left untreated.

These medical problems include:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD), or heart disease, including peripheral artery disease (PAD) and stroke
  • Renal (kidney) disease
  • Unhealthy cholesterol levels, which can lead to atherosclerosis
  • Metabolic syndrome
  • Vision damage
  • Nerve damage and numbness in the extremities which can lead to amputation

The good news is that diabetes is treatable and often preventable.

 

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BLOG Date: Thursday, January 14, 2016
Writer: Ryan Allen