Type 2 Diabetes - Are You At Risk of Developing Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes.
Right now, 8.
3% of the US population has Type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes leads to complications like heart attacks, strokes, blindness, and kidney disease.
It has tremendous costs on the medical system and from lost productivity - about $245 billion a year in the US.
There are several factors that can determine your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Some can be changed, although there are a few that can't.
But learning more about the factors can help you stay healthy and decrease your risk of developing this form of diabetes.
The risk factors we can't change are family history, race, and age.
If someone in your immediate family had Type 2 diabetes, you're also more likely to develop it.
People of certain races, including...
Your age is also a factor - the risk of diabetes increases as you get older, especially after age 45.
Although these are factors that can't be changed, the other risk factors for Type 2 diabetes are things that can be changed...
Eat a Healthy Diet.
There are certain foods you can eat to help control blood sugar.
Whole grains, non-starchy vegetables, and fruit are all good choices.
Lean meats and low-fat dairy products are also options.
Try to avoid eating food containing simple sugars, such as soda and sweets.
Maintain a Healthy Weight.
Being overweight is actually the biggest risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes.
If you're overweight or obese, especially around the abdominal area, your body has to store the excess calories as fat in the cells.
These fat cells make your body more resistant to insulin.
Fat also builds up in the pancreas and clogs it, which can cause Type 2 diabetes in some people.
If you're overweight, losing even 5 to 7%, of your body weight can help lower your risk.
Avoid Smoking.
Smoking increases your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Smokers are 30 to 40% more likely than non-smokers to develop this form of diabetes.
And the more cigarettes you smoke, the higher your risk will be.
If you smoke, quitting will also help reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, and more! Stay Physically Active.
Physical activity helps control your weight through burning extra calories.
It also uses sugar as energy, since it's moved out of the blood to fuel your body during exercise.
Exercise also helps balance insulin levels and makes the body more sensitive to insulin.
To lower your risk of diabetes, try to get in at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity exercise on most days of the week.
Right now, 8.
3% of the US population has Type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes leads to complications like heart attacks, strokes, blindness, and kidney disease.
It has tremendous costs on the medical system and from lost productivity - about $245 billion a year in the US.
There are several factors that can determine your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Some can be changed, although there are a few that can't.
But learning more about the factors can help you stay healthy and decrease your risk of developing this form of diabetes.
The risk factors we can't change are family history, race, and age.
If someone in your immediate family had Type 2 diabetes, you're also more likely to develop it.
People of certain races, including...
- Hispanic,
- African-American,
- Asian-American, and
- American Indian
Your age is also a factor - the risk of diabetes increases as you get older, especially after age 45.
Although these are factors that can't be changed, the other risk factors for Type 2 diabetes are things that can be changed...
Eat a Healthy Diet.
There are certain foods you can eat to help control blood sugar.
Whole grains, non-starchy vegetables, and fruit are all good choices.
Lean meats and low-fat dairy products are also options.
Try to avoid eating food containing simple sugars, such as soda and sweets.
Maintain a Healthy Weight.
Being overweight is actually the biggest risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes.
If you're overweight or obese, especially around the abdominal area, your body has to store the excess calories as fat in the cells.
These fat cells make your body more resistant to insulin.
Fat also builds up in the pancreas and clogs it, which can cause Type 2 diabetes in some people.
If you're overweight, losing even 5 to 7%, of your body weight can help lower your risk.
Avoid Smoking.
Smoking increases your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Smokers are 30 to 40% more likely than non-smokers to develop this form of diabetes.
And the more cigarettes you smoke, the higher your risk will be.
If you smoke, quitting will also help reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, and more! Stay Physically Active.
Physical activity helps control your weight through burning extra calories.
It also uses sugar as energy, since it's moved out of the blood to fuel your body during exercise.
Exercise also helps balance insulin levels and makes the body more sensitive to insulin.
To lower your risk of diabetes, try to get in at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity exercise on most days of the week.
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