Am I at risk of type 2 diabetes?


Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin to maintain a normal blood glucose level, or the body is unable to use the insulin that is produced-known as insulin resistance.

Here are a list of some risk factors for type 2 diabetes

Age
Your risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases with age
It is important to maintain a healthy weight by eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly
However, despite increasing age being a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, over recent years younger people from all ethnic groups have been developing the condition

Genetics
This is a main risk factor for type 2 diabetes
A child who has a parent with type 2 diabetes has about a one in three chance of also developing it

Being Overweight
Putting fat around your tummy (abdomen) increases your risk. This is because it may directly put pressure on the pancreas and it is thought chemicals released upset the body's ability to process glucose (sugar)
Women with waist measurement greater than 80cm (31.5 inches) have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Asian men with a waist size of 89cm (35 inches) or over.
White or Black men waist size of 94cm (37 inches) or over.

Not doing enough exercise
If you exercise regularly and reduce your body weight by about 5% could reduce your risk of getting diabetes by more than 50%

Other things
Asian communities are six times more likely to get type 2 diabetes, three times in African and African Caribbean origin
Women who have had gestational diabetes during pregnancy also have a greater risk of developing diabetes in later life.

So if you find you are in a high risk group we recommend that you see your GP.  I am happy to answer any questions.

With best wishes

Dr Sri  

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