ARTA Wellness Diabetes Volume | Page 8

Risk Factors for Seniors One of the unfortunate realities of aging is that your risk of developing type 2 diabetes or adult-onset diabetes increases 2 , especially for men. Although the reasons are unknown, researchers have found that the longer you live, the more likely you are to develop type 2 diabetes. Fortunately, no matter your age, you can determine whether you are at an increased risk for developing the disease and take steps to reduce your chances of becoming ill. As you get older, surmounting the impediments that diabetes presents can become a bit more challenging, but it is not impossible. Older adults may be predisposed to develop diabetes if they have the following risk factors: • Have a family history of diabetes • Belong to a certain ethnic population (i.e. of Aboriginal, African, Hispanic, or Asian descent) • Are overweight or obese • Are physically inactive • Have prediabetes 4