Although the type 2 diabetes epidemic is commonly linked to being overweight or obese, excess weight isn't the only factor driving the trend, new research suggests.
In just the past few months, at least three new studies have reported on other factors that may underlie a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. These factors include genetic mutations, a lesser-known hormone called amylin, as well as disturbances in the body's natural clock.
"Genetics is a big factor in type 2 diabetes. Certain ethnic groups get type 2 diabetes at much higher rates, and at much younger ages than other groups," said Dr. Christine Resta, an endocrinologist at Maimonides Medical Center in New York City.
"Obesity is clearly part of type 2 diabetes for most people. But the diagnosis is probably about 50 percent luck, due to things like your family history, and 50 percent what you're doing, like your lifestyle. There are thin people who get type 2 diabetes, and some people -- no matter what they weigh -- just won't get diabetes," she explained.
Type 2 diabetes is a disorder that causes sugar to build up in the blood. It develops as the body's cells become significantly resistant to insulin, making it difficult for those cells to use sugar for fuel. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that helps usher sugar into cells for energy.
As a result, the pancreas produces more and more insulin. Eventually, the pancreas is no longer able to keep up with the demand for insulin. This is when type 2 occurs, according to the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
Genes definitely play a role in type 2 diabetes, according to NIDDK. Family history and ethnicity also play a role. A sedentary lifestyle is also associated with the development of type 2 diabetes.
While it's been known for some time that genes are at least partly responsible for type 2 diabetes, researchers don't know all of the genes or the genetic mutations that are involved. Even when specific genes have been identified, the best course of treatment isn't always clear.