Which statement about Type 2 diabetes is true?

Which statement about Type 2 diabetes is true?

• A. It always requires insulin therapy from diagnosis.
• B. It is not associated with lifestyle factors.
• C. It is caused by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells.
• D. It typically occurs after age 40 and involves insulin resistance.

Answer: (D)

Type 2 diabetes is driven by insulin resistance, meaning the body's tissues don’t respond well to insulin and the pancreas compensates by producing more insulin. Over time, the pancreatic beta cells can’t keep up, leading to higher blood glucose. This pattern fits the statement that it typically occurs after age 40 and involves insulin resistance. Lifestyle factors like obesity and physical inactivity strongly contribute to this insulin resistance, which is why management often starts with lifestyle changes and oral medications rather than needing insulin right away. In contrast, autoimmune destruction of beta cells is the hallmark of Type 1 diabetes, not Type 2, and saying Type 2 isn’t linked to lifestyle factors ignores the well-established role of weight and activity in its development.

Type 2 diabetes is driven by insulin resistance, meaning the body's tissues don’t respond well to insulin and the pancreas compensates by producing more insulin. Over time, the pancreatic beta cells can’t keep up, leading to higher blood glucose. This pattern fits the statement that it typically occurs after age 40 and involves insulin resistance. Lifestyle factors like obesity and physical inactivity strongly contribute to this insulin resistance, which is why management often starts with lifestyle changes and oral medications rather than needing insulin right away. In contrast, autoimmune destruction of beta cells is the hallmark of Type 1 diabetes, not Type 2, and saying Type 2 isn’t linked to lifestyle factors ignores the well-established role of weight and activity in its development.