The rising prominence of Type 2 diabetes in our society is truly an adverse circumstance for many.
Fortunately, adult-onset diabetes is mostly a preventable disease.
It's commonly known to develop in the presence of several risk factors that are mostly under an individual's influence and control - it's best to identify these risk factors early so you can take precautions.
To those already diagnosed with diabetes, a brief overview of the risk factors may help you understand more about the disease, and under which conditions diabetes is allowed to exacerbate.
Here are some of the factors that increase your likelihood of developing diabetes...
1.
You are over the age of 40.
The consensus is if you're over 40 years of age and particularly over 45, you are at heightened risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.
A healthy lifestyle really becomes indispensable at this point, especially when you consider the increased risk for several other health complications.
2.
You are obese or overweight.
No surprise here.
Being obese or overweight is a serious health concern facilitating the development and proliferation of many diseases.
Diabetes is no exception.
3.
You have a family history of Type 2 diabetes.
There is some speculation about genetic predisposition, but research evidence is not entirely conclusive.
Still, the fact of the matter is having a family history of Type 2 diabetes does increase your chances of developing this disease.
The risk is greater the closer a diabetic relative is to you.
4.
You have prediabetes.
It goes without saying if you have prediabetes you're at greater risk for full-blown Type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is driven by chronically elevated levels of blood sugar and to have prediabetes means your levels are already higher than normal.
Prediabetes is rarely serious - it rather serves as a warning you must start to take preventative measures if you're to attain good health.
5.
You are physically inactive.
Those who are sedentary, or generally speaking physically inactive, are also more vulnerable to Type 2 diabetes.
Physical activity combats insulin resistance, so cells can remove sugar from your blood more efficiently.
Physical activity does you good overall - when you're inactive, especially over the long-term, you are asking for trouble.
These are the primary risk factors determining your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.
Although your age and family history are clearly outside your control, other factors are certainly within your ability to influence.
Just be more aware - as you age it is especially important to have your lifestyle in check.