Risk Factors

People at increased risk for Type 1 diabetes include:

  • Children of parents with Type 1
  • Siblings of people with Type 1

While diabetes can affect anyone at any age, people at greater risk for Type 2 diabetes include people who:

  • Are 45 years and older
  • Are African American
  • Hispanic/Latino
  • Native American Indian
  • Asian American
  • Pacific Islander
  • Are overweight in the upper body area (apple shape)
  • Have an under-active lifestyle
  • Have high blood pressure (at or above 140/90)
  • Have high cholesterol (more than 200 mg/dl)
  • Have a family history of diabetes
  • Have a history of diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
  • Are women who have a baby weighing more than 9 pounds at birth