Risk factors & why me? (summary)

Risk factors

Your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes depends on a combination of individual risk factors.

Some risk factors we have control over, and some we don’t.

The list below shows common risk factors for Type 2 diabetes.

Things you cannot change:

• Family history. The risk of having Type 2 diabetes increases if your parent or sibling has Type 2 diabetes.
• Race and ethnicity. People of certain races and ethnicities are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than white people are. This includes African-Caribbean, Black African and South Asian.
• Age. The risk of developing Type 2 diabetes increases more after reaching the age of 40 (if you’re white) or 25 (if you’re African-Caribbean, Black African or South Asian).
• Pregnancy-related risks. Your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes increases if you developed gestational diabetes when you were pregnant. It is also higher if you gave birth to a baby weighing more than nine pounds (four kilograms).
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This is because PCOS is associated with insulin resistance.
• Acanthosis nigricans. This is a physical sign of insulin resistance.

Things you can change:

• Weight. Being overweight is a major risk for getting Type 2 diabetes.
• Inactivity. The less active you are, the greater your risk for getting Type 2 diabetes. Physical activity helps you to control your weight. Exercise allows cells to use up glucose as energy. It also makes your cells more sensitive to insulin.
• Blood lipid levels. People with Type 2 diabetes often have high levels of triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
• Medicine. Some medicines can increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes.