The risk factors for diabetes include

  • Close relative with diabetes
  • Obesity
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Physical inactivity
  • Age (people over 40 are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes)

Diabetes is more common among Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders. Women who have had gestational diabetes, which develops and usually lasts only during pregnancy, are at increased risk of diabetes later in life.