Key facts about type 2 diabetes include:
- Complex causes: Multiple factors contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes, including genetics, environment, diet, and exercise habits.
- Importance of management: Even without medications, ongoing medical management through regular clinic visits is crucial.
- Children: Type 2 diabetes is increasingly common in children, mainly due to rising obesity rates. It involves the body's impaired use of insulin leading to high blood sugar.
- Risk factors: Overweight status, physical inactivity, family history, certain ethnicities, puberty, and maternal gestational diabetes increase risk.
- Proactive lifestyle: Healthy eating, regular physical activity, and routine screening help manage or delay progression.
