Who Can Get Diabetes

Many people think diabetes only happens to older adults. That idea is out of date.

Type 2 diagnoses are rising in children, teens and young adults. Age alone does not rule diabetes out.

Doctors can order blood tests that help tell the types apart, at any age.

Body weight is one factor among several. Type 2 has more than one cause. Genetics is one of them, meaning traits passed down in families.

Obesity means a large amount of extra body fat. Not everyone with diabetes has it. People of many body sizes can develop type 2 diabetes.

Weight is only part of the story.

A family tree of two parents and three children, with the middle child marked You. A parent and a sister wear a small badge showing they have the condition, and a Risk bar fills part way. Gene icons show what the family shares, then smoking, age and body weight icons push the bar higher, and last a blood test vial and a tick show checking early.

When someone feels blamed, it can be harder to talk openly about their care. They may hold back a worry or a symptom.

Questions about cause are best taken to the care team. They can explain what applies to your loved one.

Key takeaways

• Young people can develop diabetes, so age alone does not rule it out.
• Body weight is one factor among several, and not everyone with diabetes has obesity.
• Blame can make people less open about their worries.

Try it

Next time someone claims sugar alone causes diabetes, say out loud that there is more than one cause.