Is weight the only risk factor for type 2 diabetes?

No, there are many different risk factors for type 2 diabetes, although being overweight is certainly a high risk. Other factors that play a role in developing this kind of diabetes include your age, your level of regular physical activity, your family history of the disease, your cholesterol levels and blood pressure, your race, and even a few preexisting conditions for women.

The older you are, the higher your risk for diabetic problems. Living a sedentary life is closely tied to obesity and also contributes to problems with insulin in your body. Having parents or siblings with diabetes makes you more likely to develop it, too. High blood pressure, low levels of “healthy” cholesterol, and elevated triglycerides can damage your arteries and contribute to the disease as well. While no one understands why, certain races are significantly more prone to diabetes, particularly people from black, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American groups. Women have additional risks from preexisting conditions, like polycystic ovary syndrome and gestational diabetes.