What does the medical abbreviation NIDDM mean?

NIDDM (non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) is a term used to describe type 2 diabetes, formerly known as adult-onset diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic, metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood sugar levels. It is not related to immune problems like type 1 diabetes and the main cause lies in lifestyle and genetic factors. People with type 2 diabetes either do not produce enough insulin or the body's cells do not respond effectively to the insulin that is produced.