Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when you have persistently high blood sugar or glucose levels (hyperglycaemia). This is primarily due to two reasons: the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into the cells or the cells become resistant to insulin and cannot efficiently use the insulin the body produces, so absorb less glucose. Without treatment, high blood sugar levels in the bloodstream can lead to complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and disorders of the nervous and immune systems.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes was formerly known as adult-onset diabetes because it was primarily diagnosed in adults. However, the increase in childhood obesity, physical inactivity and family history have resulted in type 2 diabetes in younger people.

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes can be classified into non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors.

Non-modifiable risk factors

Non-modifiable risk factors are risk factors that are out of your control and cannot be changed. These are:

Race and ethnicity – Black African, African American, African-Caribbean, Native Americans, Hispanics and people of South Asian descent are more likely to develop diabetes than white people.

Family history – You are two to six times more likely to get type 2 diabetes if you have a parent, sibling or child with diabetes.

Age – The risk of type 2 diabetes increases with age. Although type 2 diabetes is diagnosed in children, adolescents and young adults, it is more common in people aged 45 and older.

Gestational diabetes – If you have a history of diabetes during pregnancy or gave birth to a baby weighing more than 4kg, you are at increased risk of getting type 2 diabetes.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome – You have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you have polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Modifiable risk factors

Modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes are risk factors that can be managed or reduced. These include:

Being overweight – Being overweight or obese increases your chances of getting diabetes. The risk of type 2 diabetes is higher in people with a lot of abdominal fat. Having a lot of fatty tissue makes your cells more resistant to insulin. Research shows that more children and young people are developing type 2 diabetes because of obesity.

Living a sedentary lifestyle – Being physically inactive or exercising less than three times a week raises your risk of getting diabetes. Physical activity makes cells more sensitive to insulin and helps control weight.

Unhealthy diets – Eating a lot of fats, carbohydrates and highly processed foods which contain a lot of sugar and refined carbohydrates raises your risk of getting diabetes.

Blood lipid levels – High cholesterol levels and high triglyceride levels in the blood increase your risk of type 2 diabetes. Low HDL cholesterol or good cholesterol levels (less than 40mg/dl for men and 50mg/dl for women) increases your risk.

High Blood Pressure – High blood pressure raises your risk of developing diabetes. People with diabetes and hypertension should aim to maintain a blood pressure of less than 130/80mmHg

Prediabetes – Prediabetes is a condition where the blood sugar level is above normal but not as high as the levels for diabetes. Prediabetes often progresses to type 2 diabetes if untreated.

Alcohol – Drinking too much alcohol is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Moderate alcohol consumption is consuming one drink a day for women of any age and men over 65 years old and two drinks a day for men under 65. One drink equals a 12-ounce beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits.

Smoking – People who smoke are 30% – 40% more likely to get diabetes than people who don’t smoke. Smoking also increases your risk of other medical conditions such as cancer and heart disease.

Type 2 diabetes has no cure. Managing the risk factors can help reduce your risk or delay the onset of getting the disease. If you already have type 2 diabetes, lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercising and losing weight along with diabetes medications or insulin therapy will help you manage the disease.

References

American Heart Association. Diabetes risk factors. (https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/diabetes/understand-your-risk-for-diabetes)

U.S Centers for disease control and prevention. Diabetes risk factors. (https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/risk-factors/index.html)

U.S Centers for disease control and prevention. Smoking and diabetes. (https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/diabetes.html)

Diabetes UK. Diabetes risk factors. (https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/types-of-diabetes/type-2/diabetes-risk-factors)

Mayo Clinic. Type 2 diabetes. (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20351193)