3) Lifestyle
Genetics, family history, and insulin resistance do play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes, but lifestyle choices and habits also important. You can have a gene mutation that makes you susceptible to diabetes, but if you make certain lifestyle changes and take good care of your body, you may delay the onset of diabetes by 10-20 years, prevent it from developing and modify your body in a way that it responds well to the diabetic treatment.
For example, two people are carrying the same genetic mutation that they have inherited from their parents. One of them is overweight (BMI greater than 25) and inactive while the other eats well, stays physically fit and watches his cholesterol. As certain lifestyle choices have a great influence on how well your body utilizes insulin, the overweight person with an inactive lifestyle is much more likely to catch type 2 diabetes than the person with a healthy lifestyle. According to the diabetes.co.uk, development of type 2 diabetes is commonly affected by following lifestyle choices;
A. Lack Of Exercise
Lack of exercise is one of the most common lifestyle choices that affect the development of diabetes. Various studies and scientific research demonstrate that people with an inactive lifestyle are not only more susceptible to catch diabetes but also respond poorly to anti-diabetic medicines. When it comes to diabetes, physical activity has multiple benefits.
- It can help you delay or even prevent type 2 diabetes if you are susceptible.
- It boosts the metabolism – that helps to digest and absorb carbohydrates more quickly and avoid the accumulation of excess glucose in the bloodstream.
- It increases the number of insulin receptors on the target cells. This effect helps to counter insulin resistance and helps the body regulate glucose in a better way.
B. Unhealthy Meal Planning Choices
A meal plan packed full of unhealthy high-fat foods and lacking in fiber (grains, fruits, and vegetables) raises the likelihood of type 2 diabetes. Although eating excess sugar doesn’t cause diabetes, it significantly increases the risk in people with genetic susceptibility.
C. Overweight/Obesity
This is linked to unhealthy meal planning choices and lack of exercise. Both factors can cause an accumulation of fats in the belly and other body areas – leading to obesity. Being obese makes you insulin resistant and can also result in many other health conditions. Some studies also suggest that obesity is also responsible for a poor response to diabetes medicines.
