Who Gets Diabetes?

Millions of Americans have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Many others have it and don’t know it. Millions more have a condition called pre-diabetes, which means that they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

Several things put you at risk for type 2 diabetes. You can control some of these factors, such as:

• Your weight. Too much body fat is a main risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
  
• Smoking. This makes it harder for you to control your blood sugar.
  
• Lack of being active. Being inactive can lead to excess body fat, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure.
  
• High blood pressure and/or high cholesterol. These conditions are linked to type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
  

Risk factors you can’t control:

• Family history. Your risk is higher, if you have a close relative (parent, brother, sister) with diabetes.
  
• Gestational diabetes, or having a baby who weighs more than 9 pounds. Women who have diabetes during pregnancy or have a large baby are at greater risk for diabetes later in life, usually type 2 diabetes.
  
• Age. Type 2 diabetes is more common in people age 40 and older, but it is rising among young people who are overweight and inactive.
  
• Ethnic group. African Americans, Latinos, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders are more likely to develop diabetes.
  

The more risk factors you have, the more likely you will get type 2 diabetes.