Is living in your house upping your diabetes risk?
"All in the Family" was a hilarious take on the tough times that a child (Gloria), in-law (son-in-law Meathead) and parents (Archie and Edith) can encounter. But there's nothing funny about the way family members can increase their near-and-dear's risk for Type 2 diabetes.
A study presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes reveals that 75% of folks at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes are living in the same house as someone who already has full-blown Type 2 or is also at risk for developing the disease.
Why is diabetes "contagious"? Although genetic predispositions contribute to risks for Type 2 diabetes, your genes are empowered when they interact with shared lifestyle habits that encourage the condition to develop. Those habits include sedentary behavior, poor nutrition, chronic stress, damaging sleep styles, and/or smoking and excess alcohol use. No wonder that in this study, obesity and overweight affected 65% of adults and 35% of children with Type 2 diabetes or at risk for it.
If Type 2 diabetes is "all in your family," it's smart to make lifestyle changes to transform your future. According to a study in Annals of Internal Medicine, adopting a Mediterranean diet combined with calorie reduction and exercise -- and working with a weight-loss specialist -- can slash your diabetes risk by 31%. For more ways to avoid chronic diseases like diabetes, check out my book "This is YOUR Do-Over" and the free newsletter at 4YOUngevity.com. And for help upgrading your family's nutrition, check out my "What to Eat When Cookbook."
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@longevityplaybook.com.
(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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