Because the number of people with diabetes is constantly increasing. According to a report from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in 2019, it was found that worldwide there are as many as 463 million people with diabetes, and it is expected that in the next 26 years the number will increase as high as 700 million people.

This is the same situation as Thailand. It is found that more than 4.8 million people aged 20-79 years have diabetes. It is easy to imagine that in every 11 people, there will be 1 person with diabetes. And what is shocking is that 40% of those patients do not know that they have diabetes.

Diabetes can be divided into 4 types:

1. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM)
2. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)
3. Diabetes that has a specific cause (other specific types)
4. Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type, accounting for up to 90% and is the main cause that leads to other complications such as damage to the retina (Diabetic Retinopathy), chronic kidney disease (Chronic Kidney Disease), heart failure (Heart failure), cerebral blood clots (Stroke) and the development of chronic diabetic ulcers (Diabetic Ulcer).

Do you know who is at risk?8 risk factors for type 2 diabetesThey are as follows:

1. Genetics

There are many studies that have found that the development of diabetes is related to genetics. With today's technology, we can find out the risk of diabetes through genetic testing. Examples of genes that are related to diabetes include:​

• The TCF7L2 gene affects insulin secretion and glucose production from the liver.
• The GLUT2 gene detects extracellular sugar levels. Sends signals to modulate cell function and insulin secretion.
• The GCGR gene is a glucagon receptor. Causes the breakdown of glycogen into sugar.

Therefore, knowing your own risk from your genetic code is considered a medical technology that will help us prevent or reduce the risk of developing that disease. correctly.

​2. Eat food that is not good for your health.

Eating dietary fiber from vegetables and grains is not enough. and eat foods that are high in fat and sugar Especially processed meat Research has found that eating 50 grams of processed meat such as sausage, ham, Chinese sausage, pork sausage or bacon per day (about half the palm of your hand) increases the risk of diabetes by up to 51%.

​3. Lack of exercise

When we move our bodies a little We will have more risk. Because physical activity or exercise helps the body use glucose in the blood for energy. Makes cells more sensitive to the hormone insulin. And can help maintain a stable body weight as well.

​4. Obesity

The more fat cells in the body, the better. The more cells become resistant to the hormone insulin. Especially in women with body fat over 32% and men with body fat over 28%, there is an increased risk of insulin resistance and diabetes.​

​5. High blood pressure or high blood fat.

In people with blood pressure levels higher than 140/90 mm Hg. or triglyceride levels in the blood higher than 150 milligrams per deciliter​

​6. Aging

As we age, decreasing physical activity leads to increased muscle mass loss. Gain weight easily The risk therefore increases.

​7. Gestational diabetes

People with gestational diabetes After giving birth, there is a risk of developing diabetes in the future.​

​8. Smoking

Chemicals from cigarettes cause inflammation in the body. Cell injury and disrupt cell function

The key to preventing or delaying the development of type 2 diabetes.

• Maintain a suitable body weightMaintain body fat mass within normal limits.
• Exercise regularlyAt least 30 minutes 5 days a week Or walk 10,000 steps per day.
• Eat nutritious foodChoose to eat rice, whole flour, meat, fish, tofu, various types of beans, and eat a variety of vegetables regularly.
• avoid smokingAreas with pollution, dust, smoke, or areas with crowded people.
• Annual physical health checkTo find the risk of diabetes from blood results, such as checking fasting blood sugar levels (FBS), cumulative average sugar (HbA1C), insulin hormone levels (Insulin) and genetics to determine the risk of diabetes.

​

Although genetics is a major risk factor for developing diabetes, But taking care of yourself By getting enough rest, exercising, and eating food that is good for the body. It can help prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.

source

1. Laurenti MC, Dalla Man C, Varghese RT, Andrews JC, Rizza RA, Matveyenko A, et al. Diabetes-associated genetic variation in TCF7L2 alters pulsatile insulin secretion in humans. JCI Insight. 2020;5(7):e136136.​
2. Leturque A, Brot-Laroche E, Le Gall M. GLUT2 mutations, translocation, and receptor function in diet sugar managing. American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2009.​
3. Gelling RW, Vuguin PM, Du XQ, Cui L, Rømer J, Pederson RA, et al. Pancreatic β-cell overexpression of the glucagon receptor gene results in enhanced β-cell function and mass. American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2009;297(3):E695-E707.​
4. IDF Western Pacific members. Total cases of diabetes in Thai population 2020 [updated 14 May 2020; cited 2020 26 October]. Available from: https://www.idf.org/.../members/115-thailand.html.%E2%80%8B
5. American Heart Association(AHA). Understand Your Risk for Diabetes ​ [updated 30 August 2015; cited 2020 26 October]. Available from: https://www.heart.org/.../understand-your-risk-for...
6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC). SMOKING AND DIABETES 2014 [cited 2020 26 October]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/.../fs_smoking_diabetes_508.pdf.%E2...
7. Pan, An, et al "Red meat Consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes: 3 cohorts of US adults and an updated meta-analysis". American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. August 2011 ​
8. Micha, Renata, et al "Unprocessed Red and Processed Meats and Risk of Coronary Artery Disease and Type 2 Diabetes- An Updated Review of the Evidence". Current artherosclerosis reports. 2012 Dec;14(6): 515-524