Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of Type 2 Diabetes is that, for the most part, it is preventable. Although the chances to be diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes can be affected by your genes and your family’s medical history, what you do, or don’t do, to be more to the point, and what and how much you eat are truly major contributors to increasing your chances of become diabetic.
If you do not take proper care of yourself the chances that you can become diabetic are extremely high.
The Main Culprits For Type 2 Diabetes Checklist
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention states that “34.2 million Americans—just over 1 in 10—have diabetes and approximately 90-95% of them have type 2 diabetes.” Type 2 diabetes is largely preventable and considered a lifestyle disease, which means that lifestyle choices are significant factors in diagnosis of the disease.
Being overweight and poor diet choices are two of the most important risk factors in type 2 diabetes. There are several other factors to take into account when it comes to your overall risk of developing type 2 diabetes in your lifetime.
Sedentary Lifestyle
Only about half of the American population engages in a regular exercise routine. Along with increasing the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, and BMI, a sedentary lifestyle also elevates the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
In particular, Medicine & Sport Science found that there was a 112% greater threat of diabetes in those who are sedentary for 10 or more hours per day. A sedentary lifestyle is known for raising insulin resistance and leaving blood sugar uncontrolled.
Weight
Obesity is a growing problem in America, with over 70 million Americans being classified as “obese” and nearly 100 million Americans considered “overweight.” As the amount of fat in the body continues to outnumber the amount of muscle, insulin resistance becomes more likely. Obesity is such a large contributing factor to type 2 diabetes development that the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery found that 90% of diabetics are overweight or obese.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure (hypertension) and type 2 diabetes are two conditions that go hand-in-hand, with the American Diabetes Association stating that about 2 in 3 diabetics also have hypertension. The connection between the two conditions is rather complicated, but it’s believed to be related to the greater risk of obesity, percentage of body fat, and insulin resistance. It’s also noted that the hardening of the arteries as a result of diabetes can cause high blood pressure.
Poor Diet
An unhealthy diet and the resulting obesity is perhaps the greatest risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. In particular, a diet loaded with carbohydrates, sugars, fats, refined grains, and calories is known for greatly increasing the risk of an eventual diabetes diagnosis. A study in PLOS Medicine reported that an unhealthy diet, particularly one with high sugar intake, increased the risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 16%.
Family History
Family history as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes manifests itself in a few forms, including a heightened risk of obesity due to inherited lifestyle choices, physical activity trends, and socioeconomic status. In fact, researchers with Preventing Chronic Disease discovered that about 14.3% of people with type 2 diabetes also have a first-degree relative with the condition. Additionally, having multiple first-degree relatives with type 2 diabetes elevates the risk further.
Age
Though type 2 diabetes can appear in any age group, research shows that those over the age of 45 are at heightened risk for developing this condition. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reports that the risk of diabetes at age 65 and older is an astonishing 26.8%. The link between age and diabetes appears to be unconfirmed, though it’s believed that a lack of exercise, increased fat mass, and obesity are all contributing factors to this increase.
Conclusion – Some Final Thoughts
Fortunately, type 2 diabetes is often considered a “lifestyle” disease, as most causes for this condition are related to the choices you make in your personal life. With that said, it’s possible to make lifestyle changes to lower your risk, such as adopting a healthy diet, increasing the amount of exercise you get per week, and maintaining a healthy weight. It’s important to reduce or eliminate the risk factors you can target to reduce your overall risk.
Eat well.
Move more!
Be A Man – Do The Right Thing. It’s Your Life. It’s Your Choice. Take Care Of Yourself. Eat Right And Exercise.
BAM!!! Be A Man! Do The Right Thing.
Be the DtRTy Guy!