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Risk Factors That Cause Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that prevents blood sugar from converting into energy. In type 1 diabetes, the body's immune system attacks the pancreas, causing it to stop making the hormone insulin, which helps process glucose into energy. Type 2 diabetics have high blood sugar levels because their cells don't process insulin properly and the pancreas can't make as much insulin as the body needs. While some risk factors for developing diabetes cannot be controlled, you can change some behaviors that might prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.

  1. Genetic Risk Factors

    • A family history of diabetes raises your risk of developing diabetes, as does belonging to a high risk ethnic group, which includes Alaskans, American Indians, Asians, Africans and Hispanics.

    Health Conditions

    • Having high blood pressure, high cholesterol or a history of cardiovascular disease raises your risk of developing diabetes. In addition, women who have polycystic ovary syndrome, those with gestational diabetes and those who have given birth to a child weighing more than 9 pounds are more likely to develop diabetes. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, viruses might also be a factor in causing type 1 diabetes.

    Avoidable Risk Factors

    • Aging is a major factor in the development of type 2 diabetes. Although no one can avoid getting older, taking care of yourself by being in shape can help prevent or delay the onset of diabetes. Being obese or overweight, eating a high-fat diet and drinking too much alcohol can cause diabetes or make it worse.

    Expert Insight

    • According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, researchers are learning more about the genetic risk factors and molecular progression of diabetes through clinical trials. Researchers hope to prevent and cure diabetes caused by genetic and environmental factors by treating different stages of the disease.

    Prevention/Solution

    • You can prevent diabetes or delay the side effects by losing weight. Eat more vegetables, fruit, whole grains and lean protein and eat smaller portions. Exercise regularly, trying for 30 minutes a day at least five days a week. Eat less salt, fat and processed food to reduce blood pressure levels below 140/90 and to lower triglycerides below 250.

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