Factors Contributing to the Development of Diabetes
Heredity
Heredity is a major factor in diabetes. It has been known for centuries that diabetes can be inherited, though the exact pattern of inheritance is not fully understood. Statistics indicate that individuals with a family history of diabetes have a 25 to 33 percent higher risk of developing the disease compared to those without such a background.
One reason type 2 diabetes often runs in families is the presence of a diabetes-related gene. However, even if genetics play a role beyond your control, it does not mean you have to suffer from the disease. While diabetes mellitus cannot be completely cured, it can be effectively managed to the point where it has little impact on daily life.
Diet
Diabetes is often described by medical experts as a “prosperity disease,” primarily caused by chronic overeating. Not only excessive sugar and refined carbohydrates, but also proteins and fats, which are converted into sugar in the body, may contribute to diabetes if consumed in excess.
Interestingly, diabetes is almost unknown in poorer countries where overeating is less common. The incidence of diabetes is closely linked to diets high in processed foods rich in refined carbohydrates such as biscuits, bread, cakes, chocolates, puddings, and ice cream.
Obesity
Obesity is one of the leading causes of diabetes. Studies show that 60 to 85 percent of diabetics are overweight. In the United States, approximately 80 percent of type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetics are reported to be overweight.
Excess fat interferes with insulin function. The more fatty tissue a person has, the more resistant their muscle and tissue cells become to insulin. Insulin enables blood sugar to enter cells by acting on receptor sites on the cell surface.
Older adults tend to gain weight and often develop mild diabetes, but many can improve their blood sugar levels simply by losing weight.
Stress and Tension
There is a well-established link between stress and diabetes. Individuals under stress or leading irregular lifestyles need to take precautions and make necessary lifestyle adjustments.
Grief, worry, anxiety, and stressful events such as exams, the death of a loved one, loss of joy, business failure, or marital problems can all deeply affect metabolism and cause sugar to appear in the urine.
Smoking
Smoking is another important risk factor. Men who smoke have twice the risk of developing diabetes. For women who smoke 25 or more cigarettes daily, the risk increases by 40 percent.
Lifestyle Risk
A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of diabetes. Modern conveniences have made physical labor easier, yet staying active through exercise remains essential. They help control weight, burn glucose in the blood for energy, and increase cells’ sensitivity to insulin, thereby reducing the pancreas’s workload.
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