Approximately a third of Finns have a genetic disposition for type 2 diabetes. If one of your parents has type 2 diabetes, you have an approximately 40% risk of getting it in your lifetime. If both of your parents have type 2 diabetes, your risk of getting it in your lifetime is as high as 80%.
Especially abdominal obesity, where extra fat builds up in the abdominal cavity, liver and pancreas, makes you susceptible to type 2 diabetes.
After gestational diabetes, the risk of getting type 2 diabetes later, within the next 10–20 years, is approximately 50%.
A fundamental part of preventing type 2 diabetes is weight control and, if you are overweight, losing 5% to 10% of your weight, regular exercise and a healthy, diverse diet. Your diet should be based on general health recommendations tailored to your individual circumstances.
Assess your own diabetes risk
You can assess your risk of becoming sick with the risk test based on the Finnish FINRISK population surveys.
If your parents or siblings have type 2 diabetes, you yourself have had gestational diabetes or you score 12 or higher in the test, you should drastically change your lifestyle to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.