Diabetes: who is at risk?

Type 1 diabetes

People of all ages can develop Type 1 diabetes, but adolescents and young people are at the highest risk.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the result of a combination of genetic and external/environmental factors. The external factors are reduced physical activity and an increased consumption of calories, especially fat, and are the basis for the global epidemic increase in Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes has traditionally affected adults over the age of 40, but is now beginning to appear in children as well.

If a person has one of the following, he/she should visit a doctor and have a blood glucose measurement:

• Family history of Type 2 diabetes 
• Age over 45 
• Evidence of impaired glucose tolerance 
• Physical inactivity 
• Overweight 
• High blood pressure 
• Blood lipid abnormalities 
• Previous gestational diabetes