Part of Our Ongoing Series Examining Medical Issues Which Affect People in Later Life
What Is It?
Type II diabetes is also known as adult-onset diabetes. It is a chronic condition where the body either doesn’t produce sufficient insulin to maintain normal glucose levels or becomes resistant to the effects of insulin.
With an increasing number of people diagnosed every year, Type II Diabetes is a serious and growing public health concern around the world.
Risk Factors
Let’s take a look at some things which can contribute to the likelihood of us developing Type II Diabetes.
- Excess weight — especially around the abdomen — is a big risk factor. Fat cells release pro-inflammatory chemicals that can contribute to insulin-resistance and lead to Type II Diabetes.
- A sedentary lifestyle marked by a lack of physical activity and sitting for prolonged periods increases the risk of developing Type II Diabetes.
- Because genetic factors play a role in its development, having a close family member with Type II Diabetes significantly increases our personal risk of developing the condition.
- The risk of developing Type II Diabetes increases with age, especially after we reach 45. (It should be noted, however, that an increasing number of younger people are now being diagnosed due to lifestyle factors.)
- High Blood Pressure — also called hypertension — significantly increase the risk of Type II Diabetes. The two conditions often coexist and share similar risk factors.
- An unhealthy diet high in processed foods, sugar, and saturated fats can often contribute to the development of Type II Diabetes.
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So there you have it. Type II Diabetes is a complex condition with significant implications for our health. We’ll take a closer look at prevention and treatment in future editions of Health Matters. My hope is that a better understanding of the disease and its risk factors will lessen our chances of developing it.
By Steven Roberts
