(LifeWire) - There are controllable risk factors associated with diabetes, including obesity and an inactive lifestyle. However, other uncontrollable risk factors, such as ethnicity and genetics, also play roles.
How Do the Risk Factors for Diabetes Vary by Race and Ethnicity?
Although non-Hispanic whites are at greater risk of developing type 1 diabetes than other racial groups, that does not hold true for type 2 diabetes. According to 2002 statistics from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, Latinos, American Indians, Asian Americans and non-Hispanic blacks are twice as likely to have type 2 diabetes as non-Hispanic whites.In addition, the types of complications experienced by people with type 2 diabetes in each racial/ethnic group can vary. For instance:
- African Americans with diabetes have a higher percentage of end-stage renal disease than non-Hispanic whites.
- Non-Hispanic whites have less risk of developing retinopathy (eye disease) than American Indians.
- Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have a lower diabetes-related death rate than any of the other groups.
How Do Genetic Factors Influence Diabetes Risk?
Genes are what give us red hair, green eyes, mahogany skin or tall stature, among a host of other traits -- including a predisposition for diabetes.Research has shown that certain gene variations raise the risk of developing diabetes. These genes can be associated with insulin sensitivity in the body's tissues, decreased insulin production and an increased risk of obesity. Research also indicates that women who develop gestational diabetes while pregnant, and who also have GAD antibodies, are at greater risk of developing type 1 diabetes later in life.
However, genes alone are not enough to cause the disease. For instance, consider identical twins, who also have identical genes. If one twin has type 1 diabetes, the other develops it only half of the time. If one has type 2 diabetes, the other develops it no more than 75% of the time.
In addition, researchers note that lifestyle modifications -- including exercise and a healthy diet -- can reduce the risk of developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, even for people who have a genetic predisposition.
What Diabetes Risk Factors Can Be Controlled?
Although genes and ethnicity are risk factors for diabetes, they are not the sole determinants of whether someone develops the disease. Environment plays a role, as does lifestyle. Staying active, maintaining a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet can help postpone or prevent type 2 diabetes.The American Diabetes Association has a risk-assessment quiz on its website, which can help you get an idea of your potential for developing diabetes. People at high risk should talk with a health care professional to see what lifestyle changes can be made to stay free of diabetes.
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