What Causes Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes has many causes, and the cause may be a combination of factors that can lead to type 2 diabetes. These are the most common factors associated with developing type 2 diabetes.

Genetics and family history

Genetics may play a key role in your risk for developing type 2 diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, the family history of the disease is a stronger link than the genetic and family history link between type 1 diabetes.

Insulin resistance

Your body uses the hormone called insulin to help glucose in the bloodstream enter cells in order to use it for energy. However, if you develop insulin resistance, the cells in your muscles, liver, and fat don’t respond efficiently to the action of insulin. That makes it harder for the glucose to enter your cells from the bloodstream.

This leaves a higher than normal level of sugar in your blood. Your pancreas responds by producing higher and higher levels of insulin. However, it’s a self-defeating circle. The pancreas works harder, but it also becomes progressively harder to make enough insulin. Your blood sugar levels remain high, and you may develop prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.

Visceral fat

A certain type of fat, called visceral fat, can increase the risk for type 2 diabetes. This is the type of fat that surrounds your internal organs such as your intestines or liver. Visceral fat makes up around 10% of your total body fat. However, it is the highest associated risk for metabolic problems like insulin resistance. In fact, research suggests that people with larger waistlines who may have more of this belly fat are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes.