• Hi Lia, and thanks for your question, and we perfectly understand your concern here at Doctors On Call. Your question is whether there is a genetic and hereditary pattern in Type II Diabetes. In short, yes, genetics do play a role and your mom having it is one of the risk factors for getting it.

• However, genetics is just one part of the story, because it involves the environmental factors too, and to add onto that only when complex interactions between the genetic factors and environment factors only then will diabetes manifest as a disease. Other risk factors include obesity, specific racial and ethnic groups (Indians in the Malaysian context), the female gender, if your mother had gestational diabetes while being pregnant with you, and polycystic ovarian syndrome.

• It is good that that you are currently active and practice a healthy lifestyle. But what really constitutes a healthy lifestyle?

• Maintaining an ideal weight, otherwise gradually reducing it 6-10% over a 6-month period. How to know if you’re in an ideal weight category? The body mass index (BMI) reflects that if you fall between 18.5 and 24.9. your BMI can be calculated with the following equation. (Weight (kg))/(height2 (m2) )

• Proper meals following the concept of ‘suku,suku, separuh’, quarter portion of protein and carbohydrates and half portion of fruits and vegetables.

• Carbohydrates should be of low glycemic index and of complex carbohydrates (e.g. brown bread instead of white bread)

• Moderate intensity exercise such as swimming and brisk walking for 150 minutes a week, not missing it for 2 days consecutively. Ideally 5, 30 minutes sessions.
  I’ve maintained a healthy lifestyle, what’s next? Screening for diabetes should begin:-

• At anytime if you experience symptoms of diabetes such as excessive drinking of water, excessive eating and excessive urination

• Your first testing at the age of 40 years old every 3 years if the result is normal.

Please click on this link (DoctorOnCall) to talk to us privately online and discuss further about your symptoms and treatment needed. Thank you.