Skip to main content

Table 1 List of key risk factors implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)

From: Sociodemographic and lifestyle-related risk factors for identifying vulnerable groups for type 2 diabetes: a narrative review with emphasis on data from Europe

Key risk factors implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)

▪ Increased body weight - overweight or obesity (body mass index, BMI, ≥25 kg/m2 for Caucasian adults)

â–ª Increased abdominal/visceral adiposity - central/android obesity, increased waist circumference independent of BMI

â–ª Other metabolic syndrome components (e.g. hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL-cholesterol plasma levels, hypertension)

â–ª Unhealthy eating/dietary habits (e.g. high consumption of processed red meat, sugar-sweetened beverages and alcohol, and/or low consumption of fruits, vegetables, high-fiber and whole grain foods)

â–ª Sedentary lifestyle - decreased physical activity

â–ª Cigarette/tobacco smoking

â–ª Aging (older age)

â–ª Race/Ethnicity (non-white ethnic background/ancestry)

â–ª T2DM family history (particularly with first degree relatives and with earlier age of onset)

â–ª Genetic predisposition/factors

â–ª Gestational diabetes mellitus history

â–ª Low socioeconomic status, deprivation

â–ª Stress, anxiety and depression

â–ª Certain medications (e.g. certain statins and beta-blockers)