Who Gets Diabetes
Who gets diabetes?
Diabetes is not contagious. People cannot catch it from each other. Type 1 diabetes occurs equally among males and females and develops most often in children but can occur at any age. Type 2 diabetes is more common in older people.
Who is at greater risk for type 2 diabetes?
- People with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and/or impaired fasting glucose (IFG)
- People over age 45
- People with a family history of diabetes
- People who are overweight
- People who do not exercise regularly
- People with low HDL cholesterol or high triglycerides, high blood pressure
- Certain racial and ethnic groups (e.g. Non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanic/Latino Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, American Indians and Alaska Natives)
- Women who had gestational diabetes or who have had a baby weighing nine pounds or more at birth
How can I reduce my risk?
You can do a lot to lower your chances of getting diabetes.
- Exercising regularly
- Reducing fat and calorie intake
- Losing a little weight
- Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol