Causes of Type 2 Diabetes - Controllable Risk Factors

Hey Peeps,

Last week we talked about Diabetes 2, as a sufferer, I discussed with you the uncontrollable risks. Today lets talk about the controllable risks

Factors that you can control are related to your lifestyle--the choices you make each day about what to eat and whether or not to exercise. These are areas of your life where you can take control to prevent and manage type 2 diabetes, and enhance your overall health.


Controllable Risk Factors

Your weight. More than 80% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. You can decrease your risk with each pound you lose, and dropping just 10% of your body weight can have major benefits. Follow the SparkDiet to reach your weight loss goal.

Your fat distribution. Carrying excess weight around your abdomen and waistline (known as the "apple" shape), greatly increases your risk of diabetes. Calculate your waist-to-hip ratio to find out how to improve it.

Your activity level. Physically inactive people are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Read Exercising with Diabetes and work out at least three times per week.

Your medications. Several medications, including antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs, can dramatically increase your diabetes risk. Talk to your doctor about alternative medications that don't have this effect.

Your diet. A diet high in diabetes-promoting foods (calories, sugar, saturated fat, cholesterol, trans fat) and low in healthy foods (healthy fats, fiber, whole grains, fruits and veggies), can contribute to your diabetes risk. Use the Nutrition Resource Center as a guide to healthy eating.

Your drinking habits. Heavy alcohol use damages the pancreas and can result in type 2 diabetes. But moderate drinking (less than one drink daily for women or two drinks for men) has a protective effect against diabetes.

Your smoking habits. Smokers are 50% to 90% more likely to develop diabetes than nonsmokers. Quit smoking to reduce your risk of serious health problems, including type 2 diabetes.

When you have existing health conditions, your risk of developing diabetes and complications is greater. Add high risk factors into the picture (like family history, age, and race) and your risk is compounded even more. The good thing is that you can work on the risk factors that you can change. When you improve your life by achieving and maintaining a healthy weight and regularly engaging in physical activity, you can reduce you risk of type 2 diabetes by about 58 percent.