Who is at risk of diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes
Currently type 1 diabetes can’t be prevented. However, current research is exploring ways to stop the autoimmune reaction that destroys the insulin producing beta cells. We also know that certain features in the environment can trigger type 1 diabetes in some individuals who have a genetic predisposition, and may be responsible for the increase in type 1 diabetes over the past 30 years. Therefore, studies are looking at these other factors which may increase the risk in some people.
It is not possible to identify all the people in the general community who have the genes that are associated with type 1 diabetes risk. Only 20 percent of people who develop type 1 diabetes have a relative that also has type 1 diabetes, so the number of people eligible for these prevention studies is small
Researchers from the INIT II trial (Intranasal insulin) trial are looking for volunteers in a very important research project to try to prevent type 1 diabetes. Call (03) 9342 7428 or go to the INIT II trial website for more information.
Type 2 diabetes
Diabetes is a growing epidemic with nearly 25 per cent of the Australian population over 25 years being at risk of or already has diabetes.
The good news is, that type 2 diabetes can be prevented! Studies have shown that lifestyle modification programs, involving healthy eating, physical activity and weight loss, are effective at preventing or delaying type 2 diabetes in those at high risk.
More than 60 per cent of the Australian population are overweight or obese. Being overweight is one of the major factors contributing to the increase in type 2 diabetes. It is important for all people to adopt a health lifestyle to prevent diabetes. For more information visit www.goforyourlife.vic.gov.au.
Everyone should also know their risk of type 2 diabetes, as half the people with diabetes don’t know that they have it.
To test your risk visit the online risk tool.
Who is at risk of type 2 diabetes?
People who have a family history of type 2 diabetes
People who have a close relative with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Those who have one parent with type 2 diabetes are over two times more likely to develop the disease than those without a family history.
People who are overweight or obese
People classified as overweight (body mass index (BMI) 25 or over) are twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes and obese people (BMI 30 or over) are four times as likely to develop diabetes as people in the normal weight range. In 2000, 60 per cent of Australian adults were overweight or obese and Australian adults under 65 years gained an average of 1.8 kg over the five years from 2000 to 2005.
Waist circumference is an indicator of abdominal fat. Excess fat around the waist increases the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease (heart attack and stroke). Waist circumference measurements indicating increased risk are:
Ethnic group Male Female
European, African, Eastern Mediterranean 94 cm 80 cm
Middle Eastern, South Asian, Chinese, 90 cm 80 cm
Asian-Indian, South & Central American, Japanese
Men with a waist circumference of 102 cm or more and women 88cm or more are at substantially increased risk of diabetes.
People who are inactive
In 2004-05 only 30 per cent of Australians 15 years and over undertook sufficient levels of physical activity. Physical inactivity increases the risk of developing diabetes.
People with pre-diabetes
Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) are both conditions where blood glucose levels are higher then normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
The term ‘pre-diabetes’ is sometimes used to describe these conditions. People with pre-diabetes are 10 to 20 times more likely to develop diabetes than those with normal blood glucose levels.
People with high blood pressure, abnormal blood fats or cardiovascular disease.
People with type 2 diabetes often have high blood pressure and raised triglyceride levels and low levels of ‘good’ or protective HDL cholesterol (blood fats), which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (heart and blood vessels) disease.
Reducing dietary fat, particularly saturated fat, eating more fibre from fruits, vegetables and whole grains, being more active and losing excess body fat, helps to reduce the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
The prevalence of diabetes in some Aboriginal communities may be as high as 30 per cent. Type 2 diabetes often occurs at a younger age in Indigenous people, and can even develop in childhood or adolescence. Risk assessment should begin from age 18 in people from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background.
People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Groups at particular risk include people from Pacific Islander, Southern European, Middle Eastern, Northern African and Southern Asian backgrounds.
Women who have had diabetes while pregnant (gestational)
Gestational diabetes occurs in around five per cent of all pregnancies in Australia, though occurs more frequently in certain ethnic groups (see above). Increasing age, being overweight and having a family history of diabetes increases the likelihood a woman will develop gestational diabetes. The risk of gestational diabetes in subsequent pregnancies is increased and there is a high risk of type 2 diabetes later in life.
Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and overweight
Studies estimate that five to 10 per cent of pre-menopausal women have PCOS. Common symptoms of PCOS are:
- Irregular, or absent menstrual periods
- Infertility
- Increased body hair
- Thinning hair on the head
- Acne
PCOS is associated with increased risk of obesity, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes.
Find out more information about PCOS
Smokers
Smokers have a fifty percent greater risk of diabetes than non-smokers. Smoking also causes damage to the heart, lungs and circulation and increases the risk of developing several types of cancer.
People on antipsychotic medication
Some antipsychotic medications used for the treatment of schizophrenia can raise blood glucose levels in some individuals. They may also lead to weight gain which contributes an additional risk for developing type 2 diabetes. People taking these medications should be tested for diabetes.
Who should be tested?
Australian national guidelines state that the following people should be tested for diabetes:
- People with a history of cardiovascular disease
- Women who have had gestational diabetes
- Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome
- People who take antipsychotic medication
- People who score 15 or more on the AUSDRISK test
Take the risk assessment test to assess your risk of developing type 2 diabetes
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