What are the risk factors for type 1 diabetes?

Researchers continue to work hard to find out what causes type 1 diabetes. It is known that having a family member (parent, sibling) with type 1 diabetes slightly increases the risk; however, definite risk factors are currently not known.

What are the risk factors for type 2 diabetes?

Anyone over the age of 40 should be tested for diabetes every three years. Anyone who has one or more risk factors should be tested more frequently and/or start regular screening earlier. Risk factors are:

• Having a parent, brother, or sister with diabetes;
• Being a member of a high-risk group (African, Arab, Asian, Hispanic, Indigenous, or South Asian descent; low socioeconomic status);
• Having health complications that are associated with diabetes;
• Having given birth to a baby that weighed more than four kilograms (nine pounds) at birth or having had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy);
• Having been diagnosed with prediabetes (impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose);
• Having high blood pressure;
• Having high cholesterol or other fats in the blood;
• Being overweight, especially if that weight is mostly carried around the tummy;
• Having been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome;
• Having been diagnosed with Acanthosis nigricans (darkened patches of skin);
• Having been diagnosed with psychiatric disorders: schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder;
• Having been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea;
• Having been prescribed a glucocorticoid medication by a doctor.

The earlier you are diagnosed, the sooner you can take action to stay well – now and in the future. If you already have type 2 diabetes, your children, brothers and sisters are at risk. Urge them to be tested for diabetes.