A person with type 2 diabetes has some function of the pancreas , but it doesn t always produce enough insulin. In some cases, insulin can t get inside the cell because the doorway at the cell level won t open. Poor lifestyle habits are commonly linked to type 2 diabetes, although genetics can also play a role. The biggest reason for type 2 diabetes is obesity. She and Tobrocke attribute the increase to more children watching television, playing Nintendo or sitting in front of the computer instead of playing outside.
Obesity is measured in terms of body mass as it relates to fat.
To measure body mass index, take your body weight in kilograms and divide it by your height in meters, then square that number. In the U.S., a body mass index of 27 or greater indicates obesity, according to Leahy. Although the risk of developing type 2 diabetes is higher among people of African American, Hispanic, Native American, Pacific Islander or Asian American descent, other factors also play a role. Being overweight, not exercising regularly, having a family history of diabetes and giving birth to a baby weighing more than nine pounds can also increase the risk of developing diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Most people with type 2 diabetes are asymptomatic, but if their blood glucose levels become too high, they might experience headache, blurry vision, excessive thirst, frequent urination, dry, itchy skin, unusual tiredness, unexplained weight loss, tingling or numbness in the hands or feet or frequent skin, gum or bladder infections.