The
cause of Type I diabetes is genetically based, coupled
with an abnormal immune response.
The cause of Type II diabetes is unknown, but medical
experts believe that Type II diabetes runs in families.
A person can inherit a tendency to get Type II diabetes,
but it usually takes other factors to bring on the disease.
Factors associated with an increased risk for Type
II diabetes include:
Sedentary
lifestyle
Obesity
(weighing 20 percent above a healthy body weight)
Advanced
age
Unhealthy
diet
Family
history of diabetes
Improper
functioning of the pancreas
Minority
race (higher risk in Black, Hispanic, American Indian,
westernized Asian and native Hawaiian populations)
Medication
(cortisone and some high blood pressure drugs)
Women
having given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 lbs.
Previously
diagnosed gestational diabetes
Previously
diagnosed IGT
