Overview
Type 2 diabetes (also known as Adult-onset diabetes mellitus) is a chronic condition that affects the way human body metabolizes sugar (glucose). It is also called Adult-onset diabetes mellitus because it used to start almost always in middle- and late-adulthood. It is much more common than type 1 DM.
Insulin resistance is the characteristic feature of type 2 diabetes mellitus. This means, that in type 2 DM; although the insulin is produced in sufficient quantity by the pancreas, the body’s cells resist the normal effect of insulin (which is to drive glucose in the blood into the inside of the cells), leading to build up of sugar level in the blood.
Factors increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus include:
Weight: If you store fat mainly in the abdomen, you have a greater risk of type 2 diabetes than if you store fat elsewhere, such as in your hips and thighs. Males with a waist circumference above 40 inches or females with a waist circumference greater than 35 inches (88.9 centimeters) are at high risk.
Fat distribution: Being overweight (obesity) is one of the main risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
Inactivity (Sedentary behavior): Physical activity helps to control body weight, uses up glucose as energy and makes cells more sensitive to insulin
Family History: The risk of type 2 diabetes increases if your parent or sibling has type 2 diabetes.
Age: The risk of type 2 diabetes increases with age, especially after 45 years. However, more and more children, adolescents and teens are developing this condition.
Gestational diabetes Females who develop gestational diabetes when they are pregnant, have high chances of developing type 2 diabetes. If you gave birth to a baby weighing more than 4 kilograms, you're also at risk of type 2 diabetes.
Having other metabolic syndromes such as high blood pressure, low HDL or high triglycerides
