Diabetes Can Also Affect Young People: Know the Risk Factors

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Diabetes is often thought to be a disease that mainly affects older people. However, this condition, characterised by high blood sugar levels, can also affect children, teenagers and young adults.

This is important to understand because diabetes, particularly type 2, can develop gradually without causing clear symptoms in its early stages. As a result, some people only become aware of their condition after undergoing a health check.

Diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use the hormone effectively. Insulin helps glucose enter cells, where it is used for energy.

When this process is disrupted, glucose can build up in the blood. Over the long term, high blood sugar levels can increase the risk of problems affecting the heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves.

What factors increase the risk of diabetes at a young age? Here is an explanation.

1. A family history of diabetes

Heredity is one factor to consider when assessing diabetes risk, particularly for type 2 diabetes.

If a parent or sibling has type 2 diabetes, a person’s risk of developing the same condition may be higher. This is linked to genetic factors and the possibility that family members share similar lifestyle habits.

However, a family history does not mean that someone will definitely develop diabetes. Daily habits and other health conditions also play a role in determining risk.

If you have a family member with diabetes, you can pay attention to your diet and physical activity, and consult a health professional about whether you need a blood sugar test.

2. Excess weight and obesity

Excess weight and obesity are important risk factors for type 2 diabetes, including among young people.

One reason is that these conditions can be associated with insulin resistance, in which the body’s cells do not respond optimally to insulin. The body then needs to produce more insulin to help control blood glucose levels.

If the body can no longer produce enough insulin to meet this need, blood sugar levels can rise.

However, diabetes does not only affect people who are overweight. People with a normal body weight can also develop diabetes because of genetic factors, autoimmune disorders or other causes.

Therefore, weight should not be used as the sole indicator of whether someone is at risk of diabetes.

3. Not getting enough physical activity

Sitting for long periods, exercising infrequently and spending more time in front of screens can contribute to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.

During physical activity, muscles use glucose as a source of energy. Physical activity also helps the body respond better to insulin.

By contrast, inactivity can increase the risk of fat accumulation and make the body’s metabolic regulation less effective.

You do not have to start with strenuous exercise to become more active. Walking, cycling, playing sport with friends or doing other physical activities you enjoy can be good options.

For teenagers, physical activity should be part of a daily routine, rather than something done only when they want to lose weight.

4. Unhealthy eating habits

Eating excessively, frequently choosing high-calorie foods, and not consuming enough vegetables and fruit can affect metabolic health.

Consumption of sugary drinks, such as tea with excessive sugar, fizzy drinks and packaged beverages, should also be monitored. If consumed too often, these drinks can increase daily sugar and calorie intake.

Nevertheless, diabetes does not develop simply because someone occasionally eats sweet foods. The risk of type 2 diabetes is influenced by a combination of factors, including heredity, weight, physical activity and health conditions.

To help reduce the risk, adopt a balanced diet, eat more vegetables and sources of fibre, choose water as your main drink, and pay attention to portion sizes.

There is no need to cut out all favourite foods suddenly. Gradual, consistent changes to habits can be a more realistic first step.

5. Having prediabetes

Prediabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal but do not yet meet the criteria for a diabetes diagnosis.

It often causes no symptoms, so a person may not realise that their blood sugar levels have changed.

Prediabetes can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. However, it does not always progress to diabetes. Lifestyle changes and appropriate care can help reduce the risk or delay its development.

If you have diabetes risk factors, a blood sugar test can help identify your condition early. A doctor will determine the appropriate type of test based on your age, medical history and risk factors.

6. High blood pressure and abnormal blood fat levels

High blood pressure and abnormal blood fat levels can also be associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

These conditions are often found alongside other factors linked to insulin resistance, such as obesity and a lack of physical activity.

In young people, blood pressure and cholesterol problems do not always cause readily recognisable symptoms. Health checks are therefore important, particularly if there is a family history or other metabolic risk factors.

If test results show blood pressure or cholesterol outside recommended limits, consult a health professional to determine the appropriate steps.

7. A history of diabetes during pregnancy

Risk factors can also be linked to health during pregnancy.

Women who have had gestational diabetes – diabetes that develops during pregnancy – face a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

That history is also associated with a higher risk of blood sugar problems in the child, although it does not mean the child will definitely develop diabetes.

If you or a family member has a history of gestational diabetes, this information should be shared with a doctor when discussing blood sugar tests.

In addition to type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes can affect children, teenagers and young adults.

The two types of diabetes have different mechanisms. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body produces very little or none of the insulin it needs.

Type 2 diabetes, meanwhile, is generally associated with insulin resistance and the body’s inability to produce enough insulin to meet its needs.

This distinction matters because type 1 diabetes is not caused solely by a poor diet or a lack of exercise. Its exact cause is not yet fully understood, and it cannot be prevented through lifestyle changes alone.

Therefore, the assumption that all diabetes in young people is caused by eating too many sweet foods or being overweight is incorrect, according to information from the CDC and other sources.