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Diabetes Risk: Beyond Weight Alone
Diabetes risk cannot be assessed solely through weight metrics like BMI, as BMI fails to identify many individuals with excessive body fat. Waist circumference serves as a crucial indicator of fat distribution, particularly visceral fat, which heightens the risk for Type 2 diabetes. Additionally, genetics play a significant role; having a first-degree relative with Type 2 diabetes increases an individual's risk by five to ten times, underscoring the complex interplay between genetics and environment. In identical twins, the correlation is even stronger, with a 90% likelihood of the second twin developing the condition if the first is diagnosed.