My father has diabetes, does this mean I will have it too?

Question

Please help me, I'm really worried. I'm 16 years old and I DON'T want Diabetes =(

Answer 1

No. although diabetes can be hereditary, it doesnt mean you will have it. If you have a healthy lifestyle, you eat right, and you exercise the chances of you developing diabetes will greatly diminish. Good luck  

Answer 2

You have a risk factor, but it is not a positive indication that you will develop the disease.  But, on the other hand, there is absolutely nothing you can do to prevent the development of diabetes.  With type 2, you may postpone the development of it for a little while, but you can't completely prevent it.  Diabetes is a very manageable disease.  Don't let the worry of getting it keep you from enjoying life.  If you do end up with it, get educated and learn to control it.  It does not have to be as devastating as some people say it is.  Only if you don't control it.  Eating the wrong foods or being overweight, does NOT cause diabetes.

Answer 3

It seems to run in my family, but only to those who are overweight. Thin people can get it, of course. Diabetes is very manageable in most cases, so don't worry.

Answer 4

It doesn't mean that you will definitely get diabetes, but some scientists do believe that you will be more likely to get it as it has appeared in the family.

If you maintain a healthy lifestyle and a healthy weight then you are unlikely to get diabetes, as diabetes is closely related to weight. There isn't an 'x' point that you reach and then BAM! diabetes, but overweight people are more likely to develop it. Just try and develop a healthy diet and excercise nicely and you should be fine.

Answer 5

I have a son who is 16 as well. I have been diabetic since Nov 2006. I started out pretty bad, HbA1C of 12.1; now 5.5. My daily finger prick results were off scale and now read 105/85.

Visit my blog site and read my story. I hope it will help.

Best Wishes.  

Answer 6

It does not mean you will get it but, you will be predisposed to it.  It would be wise to get checked out periodically and watch out for symptoms.  Also look up on a website about they best way to avoid getting Type 2 diabetes (watching weight, taking excercise etc.).  Having said all this I know a family where the father had Type 1 diabetes and the children do not (they are grown up middle aged adults now).  You inherit your genes from your Mother as well as your Father.

Answer 7

There is a chance you can get it.  Though the odds are 1 in 17.  But it depends which type of diabetes it is, there is Type I and Type II.  The risk factor is inherited from both parents.  Environmental factors can also trigger diabetes.