What Population Is Most Affected by Diabetes?

Diabetes has been classified into four types:

• Type 1 diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes
• Prediabetes
• Gestational diabetes

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetesis believed to be a hereditary, autoimmune disorder when the body’s immune system attacks the body’s own cells. You can get type 1 diabetes at any age, but it is more likely to develop in children and teenagers. You are at an increased risk of diabetes

• if you have a close relative such as a mother, father, or sibling with type 1 diabetes.
• If you are a White American.

African Americans and Hispanic/Latino Americans are less likely to develop type 1 diabetes than Whites (more likely to developtype 2 diabetes).

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a lifestyle disorder. Middle-aged and old-age people are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes due to increased risk withaging. Other factors that put at risk for diabetes include:

• Prediabetes
• Overweight
• Age ≥45 years
• Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes
• Lack of physical activity (exercising less than thrice a week)
• History ofgestational diabetes(diabetes duringpregnancy)
• Having delivered a baby weighing more than 9 lbs
• Belonging to a particular ethnic group
  • African American
  • Hispanic/Latino American
  • American Indian
  • 阿拉斯加本地(一些太平洋岛民ian Americans)
• Nonalcoholicfatty liver disease

Prediabetes

Prediabetes is the condition when you have elevated levels of bloodsugarbut not as high as to reach the diagnosis of diabetes. You are at risk for diabetes if you

• Are overweight orobese.
• Are aged ≥45 years.
• Have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes.
• Are not physically active (exercising less than thrice a week).
• Have a history of gestational diabetes (diabetes duringpregnancy).
• Have delivered a baby weighing more than 9 lbs.
• Belong to a particular ethnic group
  • African American
  • Hispanic/Latino American
  • American Indian
  • Alaska Native
  • Pacific Islanders
  • Asian Americans

Gestational diabetes

The type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy is known as gestational diabetes. You’re at risk for developing gestational diabetes if you

• Are overweight.
• Have a close family member such as a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes.
• Had gestational diabetes during any of your previous pregnancies.
• 有了婴儿重量超过9磅。
• Are more than 25 years old.
• Havepolycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).
• Belong to a particular ethnic group
  • African American
  • Hispanic/Latino American
  • American Indian
  • Alaska Native
  • Native Hawaiian
  • Pacific Islander

Gestational diabetes usually goes away after pregnancy but increases your as well as your baby’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes in later years.