What is type 2 diabetes? Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose or sugar levels are too high. Glucose is your main source of energy. It comes from the food you eat. A hormone called insulin helps glucose get into cells to give them energy. If you have diabetes, your body doesn't make enough insulin or doesn't use it well. The glucose then stays in the blood and doesn't get enough of it into the cells. Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can cause health problems. However, you can take steps to control your diabetes and try to prevent these health problems.

What causes type 2 diabetes? Type 2 diabetes can be due to a combination of factors: • Being overweight or obese • Not doing physical activity • Genetics and family history In general, type 2 diabetes begins with insulin resistance. This is a condition in which your cells do not respond normally to insulin. As a result, your body needs more insulin to help glucose get into cells. At first, your body makes more insulin to try to get the cells to respond. But over time, your body can't make enough insulin, and your blood glucose levels rise. Who is at risk for type 2 diabetes? Your risk of developing type 2 diabetes is higher if you: • You are older than 45: Children, teens, and young adults can get type 2 diabetes, but it is more common in middle-aged and older people • You have prediabetes: This means your blood sugar level is higher than normal, but not high enough to be diabetes. • Had diabetes during pregnancy or gave birth to a baby weighing 9 pounds or more • You have a family history of diabetes • Are overweight or obese • You are African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander • You don't exercise • Have other conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, polycystic ovary syndrome, or depression • You have low good cholesterol (HDL) and high triglycerides • You have acanthosis nigricans: Dark, thick, velvety skin around the neck or armpits