Does sugar cause diabetes?
No. Eating foods high in sugar will not cause diabetes. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include: • Age – being 40 years of age and older • Member of a high risk ethnic group – Aboriginal, Hispanic, Asian, South Asian, or African descent • Overweight – especially if you have extra weight around the belly • Family history • Health conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, high blood triglycerides and polycystic ovary syndrome • Pregnancy related – gave birth to a baby that weighed more than 4 kg (9 lb) or had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) • Being diagnosed with pre-diabetes While sugar itself will not cause diabetes, eating a lot of foods that are high in sugar, fat and calories can lead to weight gain. Being overweight or obese is a major risk factor for diabetes. About 80% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight.
