Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes) or adult onset diabetes occurs in those who can still produce insulin, but do so relatively inadequately for their body's needs.

Type 2 diabetes used to be called "adult onset diabetes." In recent years, that term has been used less and less because of the alarming rise of the disease in an increasingly younger population. About 20 years ago, it was estimated that two percent of all new cases of Type 2 diabetes were in people between 9 and 19 years old. In recent years that number has risen to about 30 to 50 percent." In addition, the rate has increased 70 percent in young adults aged 30-39.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), rates of Type 2 diabetes have tripled among all age groups in the past 30 years. This is largely due to the increasing percentage of Americans who are overweight and sedentary. For the first time in the history of humans, type 2 diabetes is now more common than type 1 diabetes in childhood. Most of these cases are a direct result of poor eating habits, higher body weight, and lack of exercise.

A condition known as "insulin resistance" takes place at the onset of Type 2 diabetes. This occurs when the hormone reaches the cell receptor and there is a malfunction of the customary interlocking process. The cells of the body gradually shut down their insulin recognition systems. Although plenty of insulin is onboard, it is prevented from functioning and cannot activate a drop in blood sugar levels. Because blood glucose remains elevated, the pancreas reacts by secreting even more insulin into the blood. Levels of insulin rise, but blood sugar remains high in spite of these ever-increasing insulin levels. This condition, known as hyperinsulinemia, is toxic to the body and leads to a number of very unhealthy side effects, including obesity, hypertension, elevated blood fats (total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides), and decreased HDL (good cholesterol).

While there is a strong genetic component to developing type diabetes, there are other risk factors - the most significant of which is obesity. There is a direct relationship between the degree of obesity and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and this holds true in children as well as adults. It is estimated that the chance to develop diabetes doubles for every 20 percent increase over desirable body weight.

Studies suggest that for each decade after 40 years of age - regardless of weight - there is an increase in incidence of type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in persons 65 to 74 years of age is nearly 20 percent.

Type 2 diabetes occurs much more frequently in women with a prior history of gestational diabetes (diabetes that develops during pregnancy).