Following is the
section entitled
"Risk Factors for Diabetes"
from the document "Diabetes: A National
Plan for Action", written in December 2004.
Diabetes
occurs in people of all ages and racial and ethnic groups. Researchers do not
fully understand the cause of
type 1 diabetes
or what can be done to prevent it. Research suggests
that type 1 diabetes has a strong genetic basis that is modified by environmental factors. Certain
viruses are among the factors that have been suggested, but the definitive factors have yet to be
determined.
(27)
Having a family member with type 1 diabetes puts one at higher risk for
developing the disease.
(28)
However, most type 1 diabetes patients do not have a family history of
the disease. Research is currently being done to learn more about the genetic and environmental
factors important in type 1 diabetes.
Table 1. Risk Factors and Associated Medical Conditions for Diabetes
|
Risk Factor
|
Type 1
Diabetes
|
Type 2
Diabetes
|
Pre-diabetes
|
Gestational
Diabetes
| |
Family History
|
|
|
|
| |
Family member with diabetes
| X
| X
| X
| X
| |
Lifestyle
|
|
|
|
| |
Overweight or obesity
|
| X
| X
| X
| |
Sedentary lifestyle (exercise fewer than three times per week)
|
| X
| X
| X
| |
Associated Medical Conditions or Events
|
|
|
|
| |
Impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose
|
| X
| X
| X
| |
High blood pressure
|
| X
| X
|
| |
Low HDL cholesterol and/or high triglycerides
|
| X
| X
|
| |
History of gestational diabetes
|
| X
| X
| X
| |
Delivered baby 9 lbs. or heavier
|
| X
| X
| X
| |
Race/Ethnicity
|
|
|
|
| |
Black
|
| X
| X
| X
| |
Hispanic/Latino American
|
| X
| X
| X
| |
Native American
|
| X
| X
| X
| |
Asian American
|
| X
| X
| X
| |
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander ancestry |
| X
| X
| X
|
SOURCES: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Am I at risk for type 2 diabetes? NIH Publication No. 04-
4805. Available at: http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/riskfortype2/. Insulin resistance and pre-diabetes. Available at:
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/insulinresistance/. What I need to know about gestational diabetes. NIH Pub No. 04-5129. Available at:
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/gestational/#3. Accessed May 28, 2004.
Research conducted to date has identified specific risk factors related to the development
of
type 2 diabetes,
pre-diabetes,
and
gestational diabetes,
including family history, a sedentary
lifestyle, and overweight or obesity (Table 1). Maintaining a healthy weight as measured by
body mass index
(BMI) reduces one's risk for developing type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, or
gestational diabetes.
(29) BMI is a measure of weight in relation to height (see Figure 3). Studies
have shown that BMI is significantly correlated with body fat content for most adults. For adults,
a BMI less than 25 is considered a healthy weight. Regular physical activity and eating a healthy
diet can help attain and maintain a healthy weight.
[Figure 3. Body Mass Index: not reproduced here. See
Body Mass Index Table.]
27 Graves PM, Norris JM, Pallansch MA, Gerling IC, Rewers M. (1997). The role of enterviral infections in the
development of IDDM: Limitations of current approaches. Diabetes, 46: 161-168; and Salminen KK, Vuorinen
T, Oikarinen S, Helminen M, Simell S, Knip M, Ilonen J, Simell O, and Hyöty H. (2004). Isolation of
enterovirus strains from children with preclinical type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Medicine, 21:156-164.
28 Diabetes Research Working Group. Conquering Diabetes: Highlights of program efforts, research advances and
opportunities. Available at: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/federal/dwg/2002/3summary.pdf. 2002.
29 National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). National diabetes statistics. NIH
Publication No. 04-3892. Available at: http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/statistics/index.htm. 2004; and
Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group, op.cit.
From the NDEP
Dec2004
http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/NDAP/NDAP04.pdf
[PDF file]
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