Type 2 diabetes—It’s not worth the risk
According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 23 million children and adults — 8 percent of the population — have diabetes. And some 57 million people have prediabetes, which means they are at very high risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

The biggest risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes is your weight. The more overweight you are, the greater your risk. Physical activity helps you control your weight, uses up glucose as energy, and makes your cells more sensitive to insulin.

Here are some other risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Some you can’t control, but some you can. Think about your lifestyle and whether you need to assess your choices and make healthier ones.

Family history. The risk of type 2 diabetes increases if a parent or sibling has type 2 diabetes.

Race. Although it’s unclear why, people of certain races — including African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, and Asian Americans — are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

Age. The risk of type 2 diabetes increases as you get older, especially after age 45. Often, that’s because people tend to exercise less, lose muscle mass, and gain weight as they age. But type 2 diabetes is increasing dramatically among children, teenagers, and younger adults.

Prediabetes. Prediabetes is a condition in which your blood sugar level is higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. Left untreated, prediabetes often progresses to type 2 diabetes.

Gestational diabetes. If you develop gestational diabetes when you are pregnant, your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later increases. If you give birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds, you're also at risk for type 2 diabetes.