Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin or when the body becomes resistant to insulin, according to the Mayo Clinic. The result is abnormally high levels of blood sugar. Examining the causes of Type 2 diabetes is vital in understanding and preventing this health issue.

Family History

Family history plays a crucial role in causing Type 2 diabetes, reports The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). A person with family members who have Type 2 diabetes are likely to develop it at some point during his life.

Physical Inactivity

Lack of physical activity has been identified as a cause of Type 2 diabetes. Both the NIH and the Mayo Clinic stress that a sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise is a potential cause for this condition.

Obesity

Excess body fat interferes with the way the body naturally uses insulin, according to the NIH. The experts agree--a high level of excess body fat is directly proportional to the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Diet

Diets that are high in sugar, empty calories and fat are also causes of Type 2 diabetes. Consuming large quantities of sugar over long periods of time increases the amount of insulin released in the body, eventually leading to poor insulin function and Type 2 diabetes.

Other Factors

High blood pressure and elevated levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream are also identified causes. The NIH reports that ethnicity is a factor as well--especially for African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, and Native Americans, who are all at an elevated risk for Type 2 diabetes.

Prevention/Solution

Maintaining a healthy diet and keeping a regular exercise routine are ways to avoid Type 2 diabetes, especially if there is a family history of the disease. With the help of a physician, a prevention plan can be implemented for a person with any of the factors that make her more at risk for Type 2 diabetes.

Source

The Mayo Clinic

U.S. NIH Medline Plus