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Type 2 Diabetes and Normal Weight?

Astrin Damayanti

Astrin Damayanti, R.D.

Sutter Gould Medical Foundation

Question:

Is type 2 diabetes always associated with being overweight, or do you see it in people at healthy weights as well?

Answer:

Being overweight is a major risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes and many people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese.

But type 2 diabetes can develop in people who are thin because genetics also comes into play. People with a family history of diabetes are at higher risk.

Despite a family history, a diabetes diagnosis is not inevitable. Studies have shown people at high risk for diabetes can delay and possibly even prevent having diabetes by losing a small amount of body weight, 5-10 percent. General weight loss recommendations are through portion control or calorie reduction, and exercise.

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