Type 2 diabetes develops when your body’s cells are unable to use the hormone insulin as intended. To absorb glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream and turn it into energy, cells need insulin. Ineffective utilization of insulin causes the body to develop insulin resistance, also known as insulin sensitivity, which raises blood sugar levels ( hyperglycemia ).
When type 2 diabetes is progressed, it may harm the pancreatic cells that make insulin, preventing enough insulin from being produced to meet your body’s requirements.
The main causes of type 2 diabetes are two connected issues:
Insulin resistance develops in the liver, muscle, and fat cells. These cells don’t absorb enough sugar because insulin doesn’t interact with them normally.
A sufficient amount of insulin cannot be produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar levels.
Although the exact cause of this is uncertain, being overweight and being sedentary are major risk factors.
Type 2 diabetes risk factors include the following:
Weight. Obesity or being overweight is a major risk.
Dispersion of fat. A higher risk is indicated if you store fat primarily in your abdomen rather than your hips and thighs. If you are a male with a waist measurement above 40 inches (101.6 centimeters) or a woman with a measurement over 35 inches, you have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes (88.9 centimeters).
Inactivity. Your risk increases the less active you are. Exercise aids in weight management, burns glucose as fuel, and increases insulin sensitivity in your cells.
Family background. If your parent or sibling has type 2 diabetes, your risk of developing it also rises.
Having a close relative that developed Type 2 diabetes.
Ethnicity and Race. People of specific races and ethnicities, such as Black, Hispanic, Native Americans, Asians, and Pacific Islanders, are more prone than white people to develop type 2 diabetes, while it is unknown why this is the case.
Levels of blood lipids. Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, or the “good” cholesterol, and high levels of triglycerides are linked to an increased risk.
Age. Type 2 diabetes risk rises with age, especially beyond the age of 45.
Dangers associated with pregnancy. If you had gestational diabetes while pregnant or had a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds, your chance of developing type 2 diabetes rises (4, 5).
