Can Thin People Get Type 2 Diabetes?

11:42 PM in Diabetes, Health

More than 85 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese, according to government statistics, and it's known that carrying excess weight ups your diabetes risk. The reason is that fat interferes with your ability to use insulin — insulin moves sugar (glucose) from your blood to your cells, which need the sugar for energy. But don't think you're off the hook if you're thin — you still can be at risk for type 2 diabetes, even if you're not heavy.

The risk for developing type 2 diabetes may be smaller if you're thin, but it's still real, especially if you're older, says Christopher Case, MD, who specializes in endocrinology in his private practice in Jefferson City, Mo.

It's not known exactly how many thin or normal-weight people have type 2 diabetes, but part of that may be because there is no standard definition for "thin," Dr. Case says. "They may not look obese," Case says, but any excess weight, especially around the stomach, is a risk factor.

One of the reasons people can have high blood sugar and develop diabetes whether they're thin or obese is because weight, though a contributing factor, is not the only factor.

It's in Your Genes

Genetics plays a role in developing type 2 diabetes. Studies show that people who have a close relative (parent or sibling) with type 2 diabetes have a greater than three times higher risk of developing the disease than those with no family history, Case says.

Genetics may explain why some people who are thin develop type 2 diabetes and why an obese person might not, he says.

African-Americans, Asians, Hispanics, and Native Americans also are at greater risk for type 2 diabetes.

Lifestyle Choices Factor In

These other risk factors, often associated with people who are overweight, can plague thin people, too:

• Triglyceride levels and hypertension. Having high triglycerides, one of the lipid (fat) components, in your blood and having high blood pressure both increase your risk.
• Inactivity. If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, your risk for diabetes increases, no matter your weight.
• Smoking. If you smoke, you are at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes, regardless of your body weight. "Smokers tend to have lower body weight, and therefore you may see some thin smokers with type 2 diabetes," Case says.

Reduce Your Risk

Diabetes is a serious condition that can put you at risk for a stroke or heart disease. Diabetes also can cause kidney disease and blindness. It's not something you want to deal with if you don't have to.

Here are ways to reduce your risk for developing type 2 diabetes:

• Eat a healthy diet. Even if you don't need to lose weight, Case says, you want to eat a diet that is low in saturated fat and high in complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains and vegetables. Choose low-fat meats and dairy products. Limit simple sugars and saturated fats.
• Get regular exercise. If you need to, you can start slow — walk just 15 minutes a day. Build up to 30 minutes a day at least five days a week. Choose an activity that you like so that you're sure to stick with it. Find a friend to exercise with as motivation.
• Manage your blood pressure. Because high blood pressure is a risk factor, it's important to keep your blood pressure within normal limits. Eat less salt in your diet, reduce stress with exercise and relaxation techniques, and limit alcohol consumption.
• Quit smoking. If you're at risk for diabetes, you don't want to add to it by smoking. Smoking can raise your bad cholesterol and your blood pressure, both risk factors for diabetes. You can find a way to quit. Talk to your doctor.

Even if you are thin, you can be at risk for diabetes, especially if you smoke, have a family history of the disease, or are older. Talk to your doctor and adjust your lifestyle to lower your risk.