Have you ever spoken to someone without diabetes who clearly didn’t understand your condition? Many people know that diabetes is related to insulin, but some people are unaware of the exact cause of diabetes. Some people think diabetes is only caused by having a higher body weight or making unhealthy lifestyle choices.

In reality, there are a variety of risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Being diagnosed with obesity is only one factor that can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and thin or “skinny” people also get diabetes.

Here are some facts — and some misconceptions — about diabetes. These may be helpful to know when explaining your condition to others.

Facts About Diabetes

People with type 2 diabetes have high blood sugar. Your glucose (sugar) levels may be high because your cells aren’t using insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance, and it’s the main cause of type 2 diabetes. Also, your pancreas might not make enough insulin, which is another reason for higher blood glucose levels.

Several factors that aren’t related to body weight can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Fact 1: Genetics Play a Role in Diabetes Risk

If you have a family history of diabetes, you have a higher risk of developing it. This is true for type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Researchers have associated more than 150 DNA variations with type 2 diabetes.

Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes increases your risk of both type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. If you have one parent with type 2 diabetes, you have a 40 percent risk of developing the condition. Your risk rises to 70 percent if both your parents have type 2 diabetes.

Fact 2: Your Race and Ethnicity Can Increase Your Diabetes Risk

Some groups of people are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than others. According to Cleveland Clinic, being Black, Hispanic, Asian American or Pacific Islander, or Native American increases your risk of developing diabetes.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated around 14.7 percent of adults (38.1 million) in the U.S. had diabetes in 2021. Data from the CDC’s National Diabetes Statistics Report (collected from 2019 to 2021) showed diabetes diagnoses in:

• 13.6 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native adults
• 12.1 percent of non-Hispanic Black adults
• 11.7 percent of Hispanic adults
• 9.1 percent of non-Hispanic Asian adults
• 6.9 percent of white adults

Fact 3: Diet and Lifestyle Factors May Raise Your Risk

Beyond family history and race, other factors may increase your risk of insulin resistance and diabetes. A diet that includes a lot of foods high in processed carbohydrates and saturated fats raises your risk of diabetes. A sedentary lifestyle (one involving a lot of sitting and little physical activity) also makes diabetes more likely. In particular, engaging in physical activity less than three days each week increases your risk.

Other factors that can raise your risk of developing insulin resistance include:

• Frequent stress
• Lack of sleep
• Hormone disorders, like Cushing’s syndrome and hypothyroidism
• Some medications, such as corticosteroids (steroids)

Fact 4: Visceral Fat Isn’t Always Obvious

Having higher amounts of body fat is associated with a risk of type 2 diabetes. This is especially true of visceral fat (fat around the organs). Visceral fat may not be easy to see because of where it’s located.

Some thin people with a normal body mass index (BMI) score can have visceral fat, which may be close to the same amount of fat as someone who appears heavier. Because of their weight, people may assume that they’re healthy when they may be at risk of developing diabetes.

Misconceptions About Diabetes

There are quite a few diabetes myths. You may find that people who don’t fully understand the condition accept these as facts, even if they aren’t supported by evidence.

Here are four of the most common myths about diabetes, along with the facts you need to counteract them.

Myth 1: All People With Obesity Will Develop Diabetes

Having obesity is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, but diabetes also affects many people at “healthy” weights.

Although having obesity doesn’t mean you’ll get diabetes, it does put you at six times higher risk of diabetes than someone without obesity. Still, according to the American Diabetes Association, a higher body weight doesn’t guarantee you’ll develop the condition. Your exercise habits, the kind of food you eat, and whether or not you have other risk factors can matter more than your body size. A family history of diabetes, age, ethnicity, gut health, stress, and physical activity all influence whether a person will develop the condition.

Myth 2: People With Diabetes Caused It To Happen

Some people think of diabetes as a product of life choices, which may lead to an attitude of “you reap what you sow.” In reality, there are many reasons why people may build up insulin resistance and develop diabetes — and many are beyond a person’s control.

These factors include whether the condition runs in your family, your race or ethnicity, your age, your genetic makeup, whether you have other health conditions, which medications you need to take, and whether you have a hormone disorder. In addition, having problems with your liver or insulin that can’t bind correctly may also lead to diabetes.

Myth 3: People Need To Take Insulin Due to Poor Self-Control

Diabetes management often changes the longer you have the condition. When your healthcare provider first diagnoses you with diabetes, your treatment will depend on how high your blood sugar levels are. Eating a healthy diet and exercising may only be effective for managing diabetes in the early stages.

Diabetes is a condition that tends to get worse over time. That means medication and lifestyle changes may not be able to keep your blood sugar levels in check as time goes on. Later in the course of diabetes, you may need insulin injections since the body will make less insulin over time.

Myth 4: People With Diabetes Need To Avoid Carbs and Sweets

Taking care of your body through your diet is important, whether or not you have diabetes. Eating a balanced diet rich in whole grains and nonstarchy veggies — and reducing your intake of added sugars — can help you manage your diabetes. But you don’t need to cut carbs or sweets completely. Finding the right ratio of carbs, fat, and protein can help you control your blood sugar levels.

Foods like pasta, potatoes, and other starchy carbs can be included in a healthy meal plan. The important thing with carbs and sweets is to be mindful of portion size. Since these kinds of foods raise blood sugar, you’ll want to indulge in them less often and in very small amounts. Small desserts can be treats now and then, but in general, the focus should be on healthy foods. A registered dietitian can help you create a meal plan that’s tailored to your needs and food preferences with diabetes.

Find Your Team

On DiabetesTeam, the social network for people with diabetes and their loved ones, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with diabetes.

Are you living with diabetes? What misconceptions about diabetes do you encounter when talking with others? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.