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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Are skinny people also at risk for type 2 diabetes?

    Related Topics
    Endocrinology Type 2 Diabetes
    From what I have seen, those with type 2 diabetes tend to be overweight, follow an unhealthy diet and are physically inactive. Are there exceptions? Can someone thin become diabetic? What about someone who exercises regularly and eats healthy?
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  • Dr Simon Little

    Optometrist

    Simon has over 30 years experience in Optometry and Optical Dispensing and is the owner of North Lakes Optometry, an Ethical, Independent Optometry Practice providing … View Profile

    In addition to Helen Edwards answer: according to Diabetes Australia only about half of all type 2 diabetics have been diagnosed as diabetic. It is possible to have type 2 diabetes and have no idea that anything is wrong. Regular medical checks are recommended, especially if you are over 40 or there are any diabetics in your family or you have had gestational diabetes.
    For those of us that look after diabetics it is very useful to know when you became diabetic - so a negative blood test one year and a positive test the next year allows us to know the date of onset within a 12 month window - very useful when it comes to assessing risk of complications…

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  • Lisa Renn

    Dietitian

    Lisa is an APD with 12 years experience, specialising in helping people identify and change habits that impact negatively on their health. Inspiring change, Lisa … View Profile

    Hi there,
    family history is a very strong predictor of type 2 diabetes, so the best advice for someone with a known family history is to eat well and stay active.

    It is also true that someone with no family history of diabetes can develop Type 2 diabetes through being inactive and making poor food decisions that lead to them being overweight.

    While there are no guarantees in life, your very best chance or avoiding or delaying a diagnosis is to make some changes today. An Accredited Practising Dietitian can assist in tailoring a plan for healthy food choices and exercise that will mean if you ever did get diagnosed due to a family history you would be well on the way to manageing diabetes well. 

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  • Maria Nguyen

    HealthShare Member

    Even though being overweight can trigger diabetes development, skinny people get diabetes as well. It is lot of factors that might cause diabetes: history of diabetes in your family, unhealthy diet, lack of exercises, your age, history of gestational diabetes and etc. The best way to prevent diabetes is to have regular doctor check ups and maintain a healthy life style. 

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  • Matthew Rigoni

    Dietitian, Nutritionist

    Matthew Rigoni is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) and the Director of REAL Health & Nutrition. He specialises in bridging the gap between high-performance sports … View Profile

    Yes. Metabolic health is about much more than the number on your scale. There are key primary mechanisms that dramatically increase the risk of Diabetes development. Increased visceral fat (fat around your organs) while being low in subcutaneous fat (fat under your skin/ "visible fat") and low muscle mass! This "hidden" fat wraps around vital organs like the liver and pancreas, triggering inflammation and insulin resistance regardless of BMI. Additionally, "skinny" individuals often lack sufficient muscle mass. Because muscles act as the body’s primary "glucose sink," a lack of lean tissue means your body has nowhere to store sugar, forcing the pancreas to work overtime. Genetics also play a role via your "personal fat threshold." Some people are predisposed to store fat internally rather than under the skin, leading to metabolic issues at a lower weight. Rather than just watching the scale, focus on building muscle and maintaining a fibre-rich "food freedom" approach to protect your metabolic longevity. For more info on Diabetes, check out this informative page on optimal management strategies https://realnutrition.com.au/conditions-we-treat/diabetes-dietitian/

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