As people age, their risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases. In fact, age is one of the most important risk factors for this condition.
Type 2 diabetes happens when the body stops using insulin properly, leading to high levels of sugar in the blood.
While genetics, diet, and lifestyle all play a role, research shows that the aging process itself also affects how the body handles blood sugar and insulin.
Many studies have shown a clear link between aging and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1 in 4 adults over the age of 65 has diabetes, and the vast majority of them have type 2 diabetes.
A large study published in Diabetes Care in 2020 confirmed that people over 45 are much more likely to develop diabetes than younger adults, especially if they have other risk factors like being overweight, having high blood pressure, or not being physically active.
One reason for this higher risk is that as we age, our bodies naturally become more resistant to insulin. Insulin is the hormone that helps move sugar from the blood into the cells to be used for energy. But over time, the body becomes less responsive to insulin. This is known as insulin resistance.
When this happens, the pancreas tries to produce more insulin to make up for it. At first, this might keep blood sugar in check, but eventually the pancreas can’t keep up, and blood sugar starts to rise. A review in the Journal of Gerontology explained that age-related changes in muscle mass, fat distribution, and cell function all play a role in this process.
Another factor is that many older adults tend to lose muscle mass and gain more fat, especially around the belly. This type of fat, called visceral fat, is strongly linked with insulin resistance and inflammation.
A 2014 study in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology showed that this shift in body composition is a major reason why older adults are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, even if their weight doesn’t change much.
In addition to physical changes, older adults often have other health issues that can raise diabetes risk, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
They may also take medications that affect blood sugar levels or make it harder to stay active. Some may have mobility problems or chronic pain that limit exercise, which is an important part of preventing and managing diabetes.
However, it’s important to know that getting older does not mean getting diabetes is guaranteed. Lifestyle choices still matter a lot.
A major study called the Diabetes Prevention Program found that older adults who made healthy changes—like eating a balanced diet, losing a modest amount of weight, and walking 30 minutes a day—were actually more successful than younger participants in lowering their diabetes risk. These findings show that age-related risk can be lowered with the right habits.
In short, aging naturally brings changes that raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, including insulin resistance, more belly fat, and lower muscle mass.
But age is not destiny. With healthy eating, regular physical activity, and weight management, people of all ages—including older adults—can lower their risk and protect their health. Awareness and early action make a big difference, no matter your age.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies that MIND diet may reduce risk of vision loss disease, and Vitamin D could benefit people with diabetic neuropathic pain.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies that Vitamin E could help reduce blood sugar and insulin resistance in diabetes, and results showing eating eggs in a healthy diet may reduce risks of diabetes, high blood pressure.
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