Health Tip: Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes

While you can't control all risk factors for type 2 diabetes, you can take steps to help ward off the disease.

The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse mentions these common risk factors for type 2 diabetes:

• Being overweight or obese.
• Having blood pressure of 140/90 or higher, or high cholesterol.
• Leading a sedentary lifestyle.
• Having cardiovascular disease.
• Being age 45 or older.
• Having an immediate family member with diabetes.
• Being of Alaskan Native, African-American, Asian American, American Indian, Pacific Island or Hispanic/Latino origin.
• Having had a baby weighing more than 9 pounds, or having had gestational diabetes.