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Adult Diabetes: Why Do I Have Diabetes?

When there is not enough insulin to keep your blood glucose levels normal, you have diabetes.

Your pancreas manufactures insulin in the body. If you are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, your pancreas does not make any insulin. A type 2 diagnosis means that your pancreas may not make enough insulin, or that your body does not respond well to insulin that is made. Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common due to the growing number of older Americans, increasing obesity, and failure to exercise.

Being overweight increases your risk for developing type 2 diabetes.  If you have a history of diabetes in your family, eating healthy and exercising regularly are recommended to manage your weight.

There are many risk factors for diabetes, including:

• Close relative with diabetes
• Obesity
• Age greater than 45 years
• Some ethnic groups (particularly African Americans, Native Americans, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and Hispanic Americans)
• Gestational diabetes or delivering a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
• High blood pressure
• High blood levels of triglycerides (a type of fat molecule)
• High blood cholesterol level
• Not getting enough exercise