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Causes of Prediabetes

The cause of prediabetes is not fully understood. Contributing factors to prediabetes include insulin resistance, which results in higher-than-normal blood glucose levels, excessive abdominal fat and low levels of physical activity. Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight can prevent prediabetes from developing into Type 2 diabetes.

  1. Insulin Resistance

    • Insulin resistance occurs when the body is unable to properly process sugars and carbohydrates. Insulin is a hormone that is produced in the pancreas and released into the bloodstream after eating. Insulin is used by the body's cells to process and break down carbohydrates. When a person develops prediabetes, the body either produces too little insulin or the body is unable to effectively use the insulin that is produced in the pancreas, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels.

    Obesity

    • Obesity is a major contributing factor to prediabetes. Increased fat, especially in the abdomen, decreases the body's ability to process insulin and can lead to insulin resistance. Maintaining a healthy waist circumference decreases the risk of pre-diabetes. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, a healthy waist circumference for a woman is less than 35 inches and for a man is less than 40 inches.

    Inactivity

    • Leading a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of obesity and prediabetes. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends a minimum of 30 minutes of moderately vigorous exercise at least five days per week in order to maintain a healthy weight. Moderately vigorous exercise includes activities like walking, bicycling and swimming.

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