Why any particular person gets diabetes isn’t completely known. Complicating the situation is the fact that there are different types of the disease, though Type 1 and Type 2 are the most common. Of those, Type 2 accounts for about 90% of cases.

Fortunately for those who are at risk, many factors are lifestyle choices and therefore can be altered. Even after contracting the disease, much of the management of the disease involves controllable issues.

The most significant controllable risk factor for Type 2 diabetes is obesity. Obesity can be controlled through diet and exercise, even in individuals with a genetic tendency to be overweight. A high BMI (body mass index) is usually an indicator of obesity; fortunately, BMI’s can be lowered.

Body Mass Index should be below 27, since a BMI of 27 or above is positively correlated with a significant increased risk of developing diabetes. People who are extremely muscular and pregnant women may have a BMI this high without being obese. BMI cannot be the sole determinant of obesity, but generally a high BMI does indicate a need for weight loss and people with a high BMI should have appropriate medical evaluation.

For reasons not clearly understood, where body fat is carried plays a greater role in the development of diabetes than merely being obese. People who store fat more around the middle of their body are at greater risk for diabetes than those whose weight is more evenly distributed. Fat storage is determined primarily by genetics, but diet and exercise can also control it.

In multiple ways, exercise plays a significant role in the control of diabetes. High blood pressure is a risk factor for diabetes, but exercise lowers blood pressure. Glucose levels are a key factor in contracting diabetes and regular exercise helps keep them under control. In addition, regular exercise helps lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol; a high level of bad cholesterol is another risk factor for diabetes.

Of course, exercise is not really “magic,” it is a choice and so is diet. These healthy lifestyle choices can give you power over diabetes. Even if you are at high risk for diabetes or already have the condition, you have some ways to control it.