Obesity is a major risk factor for the onset of type 2 diabetes. In fact, almost 85 percent of people with diabetes have weight issues. But can you get diabetes if you’re thin? The answer is yes. While your weight can often trigger the disease, many other things also factor in.
How Can You Get Diabetes If You’re Thin?
A person’s weight doesn’t play a part in the development of type 1 diabetes. Instead, scientists believe that your genes are to blame for this disease. Genes are also responsible for the development of type 2 diabetes, but it’s often your lifestyle habits that trigger it. These include your weight, but also physical activity, smoking, drinking, stress, anxiety, diet, and many others.
But can you get diabetes if you’re thin and lead a healthy lifestyle? Yes, you’re possibly still at risk of developing latent autoimmune diabetes in adults. This condition is much like type 1 diabetes, as its main cause is your body’s inability to produce insulin. But unlike type 1, it develops later in life, usually after the age of 30. Because of this, many experts refer to it as type 1.5 diabetes.
How to Lower Your Risk
Type 2 diabetes can strike at any time even if you’re completely healthy. Yet despite how often it occurs, it’s preventable in 90 percent of the cases. Here are some things you can do to prevent it from developing and affecting your life.
- Eat healthy foods. Avoid unsaturated fats and processed sugars. Instead, opt for whole grains and fresh vegetables.
- Control your blood pressure. High blood pressure can open the door to the onset of diabetes. There are many factors that can cause it, including high consumption of salts and alcohol. Stress also plays a major part, so do whatever you can to reduce it.
- Stay active. Regular physical activity keeps your heart healthy. A healthy heart is the key to your body functioning properly. There’s no need for a strict workout regimen – three hours of light exercise each week will be enough.
To reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, don’t skip your regular medical checkups. Early detection is the key to successful treatment. So, if you notice any symptoms that could point to diabetes, make sure to report them to your doctor.
