GLOSSARY

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes (about 90 percent of cases) and results from a combination of insulin resistance and progressive beta-cell failure. More than 500 million adults worldwide have it, and many of them are unaware of their condition.

Risk Factors

Overweight and abdominal obesity, physical inactivity, family history, ageing, previous gestational diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome and ethnicity (for example South Asian, Middle Eastern and African descent).

Diagnosis

• Fasting glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L).
• HbA1c ≥ 6.5 percent.
• 2-hour glucose in an oral glucose tolerance test ≥ 200 mg/dL.

Treatment