Risk factors
The people most at risk of type 2 diabetes are white, aged over 40 years or African Caribbean, Asian and minority ethnic groups aged over 25 years with:
- a family history of diabetes
- a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25-30 kg/m2 or above and a sedentary lifestyle
- waist measurement - in women 31.5 inches (80cm) or more, in men 37 inches (94cm) or more. In Asian men 35 inches (90cm) or more
- diagnosed impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glycaemia
- polycystic ovary syndrome and obesity
- high blood glucose levels during pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
- ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease or hypertension
- severe mental illness.
For further information, go to Causes and risk factors on the Diabetes UK website.