There are many factors that can come in to play when it comes to the onset of Type 2 Diabetes; some of these we can influence, and others are beyond our control.

From my experience, when looking at reasons why a person is a Type 2 diabetic, dietary and lifestyle choices play a big part. These choices, often over many years, create an ideal environment for the disease to develop.

Whilst we sometimes get ill for no apparent reason, we can certainly reduce the risk of illness when we look at the factors that are known to encourage disease.

Please take a moment to review the following areas, and if you can relate to one or more of them, ask yourself if you could be at risk of developing (or currently having but as yet are unaware) Type 2 Diabetes:

Dietary choices.

• Your have a diet that compromises of highly processed, sugary and nutritionally deficient foods. You regulary drink fizzy drinks and/or fruit juice. You often over-eat and cannot resist snacking.

Body weight.

• You are overweight or obese.

Physical activity.

• You do little physical exercise, and certainly not on a reguar basis.

Age.

• You are aged over 45 (although sadly it is becoming more and more common for people in their 20’s and teens to develop Type 2 Diabetes).

High blood pressure and/or high cholesterol.

• You have high blood pressure and / or high cholesterol.

Smoking.

• You are a smoker.

Sleep.

• Your sleep quality / quantity has been poor for some time, you might also suffer with sleep apnoea.

You have Polysystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

• Having PCOS can increase your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.

Family factors.

• You have close family members with Type 2 Diabetes (although genetics are less of a factor than many people might think).

If you can relate to any of the above (or can associate with any of these symptoms), and have not had a blood glucose check done in the last 3-5 years, then we encourage you to do so. Type 2 Diabetes can go unchecked for up to 10 years, in which time it can cause a lot of damage to your body.

It is important to note that the affirming one or more of the above does not guarantee that you have, or will ever have, Type 2 Diabetes. However, each on their own (and more-so when combined) certainly increases the risk.

You might find my book, The KISSS Plan, of particular interest – you can check it out (and get a 50% discount off the PDF copy) here.