Diabetes Risk Factors: Type 1, Type 2, Prediabetes and Gestational

Some diabetes risk factors — like physical activity — can be changed; others, like family history and age, can't. Here are the risks for each type.

Type 1 diabetes

Thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction, in which the body attacks itself by mistake. No one knows how to prevent it. Known risk factors:

• Family history: a parent, brother or sister with type 1.
• Age: it can start at any age, but usually in children, teens or young adults.

In the U.S., White people are more likely to develop type 1 than African American and Hispanic or Latino people.

Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes

They share almost all the same risk factors, and having prediabetes makes type 2 more likely. You're at risk if you:

• have overweight or obesity;
• are 45 or older;
• have a parent or sibling with type 2;
• are physically active less than 3 times a week;
• have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD);
• have had gestational diabetes or a baby weighing over 9 pounds;
• are African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native — and some Pacific Islander and Asian American people are also at higher risk.

More: prediabetes — your chance to prevent type 2.

Gestational diabetes

You're at risk for diabetes during pregnancy if you:

• had it in a previous pregnancy;
• have had a baby weighing over 9 pounds;
• have overweight or obesity;
• are more than 25 years old;
• have a family history of type 2;
• have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS);
• are African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.

It usually goes away after birth, but raises your risk of type 2 later — and the child is more likely to have obesity and develop type 2 in later life.

Reduce your risk

You can't change your age or family history, but you can lower your risk of prediabetes, type 2 and gestational diabetes by:

• being more physically active;
• eating a healthy diet;
• losing weight if you have overweight or obesity.

Small, gradual changes make a big difference, and it's never too early or too late to start. With prediabetes, the National Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle change program can help — check if you're eligible. Prediabetes can be reversed to prevent or delay type 2.

Sources

Based on "Diabetes Risk Factors," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; a work of the United States government in the public domain. A stock image is left out.