How crucial is family history to diabetes?
Dr. Clancy: We know that diabetes runs in families, so if your relatives, particularly in your immediate family, have diabetes, you have a much higher risk of developing the disease as well. It would be a good idea, once you become a young adult say around age 20 to have someone checking your blood glucose level periodically. There is no clear scientific guideline that says you should start at a certain age, but certainly if you have a family history of diabetes, close attention to your weight, your diet, and also your blood pressure level would be a really good idea. Rand: So, given that there are disparities in rates of the disease, are population-specific treatments helpful in treating it? Dr. Clancy: The good news is that there are emerging a number of programs that are specifically tailored to people of different backgrounds. For example, dietary advice, to be effective, has to be tailored and familiar with the kinds of foods you usually eat and we’re seeing more and more about th
