Obesity is one of the major risk factors for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Read on to know more about the causes of prediabetes.
Prediabetes, as the name suggests, is a stage that occurs just before developing diabetes. People in the prediabetes stage have blood sugar level higher than normal, but it is not as high as that found in case of diabetes. In most of the cases prediabetes progresses to type 2 diabetes which is an incurable disorder. However, one can prevent this progression to diabetes if one makes changes in lifestyle and follows a proper diet. It should be noted that both, prediabetes and diabetes, are caused due to the same reasons.
Risk Factors for Prediabetes
The exact cause of prediabetes is not known, however, there are several factors that lead to this condition. It is believed that certain genes cause insulin resistance in the body which leads to prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. As mentioned above, the risk factors for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes are similar.
Obesity
Excess weight or obesity is the number one cause of several health conditions, including diabetes. Being overweight is the most common cause of prediabetes as the excess fats, particularly, on the stomach and waist, is believed to cause insulin resistance. People having BMI higher than 25 are at greater risk of suffering from prediabetes.
Age
Prediabetes is usually observed in people above 40 years of age. The reason for it is having a sedentary lifestyle, lack of activity, loss of muscle mass, etc. Lack of physical activity is also one of the reasons for causing diabetes in young adults these days.
Family History
Although the reason for it is not known, family history of type 2 diabetes increases one’s risk for it. A person, whose parents, siblings, etc., have diabetes, have high chances of suffering from prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Race
African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, American Indians, Hispanics and Pacific Islanders are also at a greater risk of suffering from prediabetes and diabetes. The reason for this is not known.
Along with these, there are several other factors that can lead to type 2 diabetes in people. They include:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Gestational diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High levels of triglycerides in the body
- Inactivity
Family history, genetics, diet, vitamin D deficiency, etc. are the risk factors for type 1 diabetes.
There are no visible prediabetes signs and symptoms. However, one should watch out for the typical symptoms of type 2 diabetes like frequent thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, weakness, blurred vision, unexplained weight loss, tingling in hands and feet, slow healing of wounds, etc. Prediabetes leads to type 2 diabetes which is a serious disorder. Diabetes is one of the causes of several severe health conditions. Therefore, prediabetes complications include type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, high blood pressure, stroke, blindness, kidney diseases and amputations.
Prediabetes treatment include making changes in lifestyle and following a proper diet to bring the blood sugar level to normal. If you are overweight, you should follow a diet and exercise regularly. This will also help in lowering high blood pressure. Following the prediabetes diet is the best method of treating and preventing type 2 diabetes.
Now that you know the prediabetes risk factors, you should try to follow preventive measures so as to avoid acquiring prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. You should consult the doctor, have your blood sugar level monitored regularly and prevent progression of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes. Take care!
