Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes, formerly called adult-onset or noninsulindependent diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes. People can develop type 2 diabetes at any age, even during childhood. This form of diabetes usually begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which fat, muscle, and liver cells do not use insulin properly. At first, the pancreas keeps up with the added demand by producing more insulin. In time, however, it loses the ability to secrete enough insulin in response to meals. People who are overweight and inactive are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Treatment includes taking diabetes medicines, making wise food choices, exercising regularly, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, and taking aspirin daily—for some.

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a common metabolic condition that develops when the body fails to produce enough insulin or when insulin fails to work properly, which is referred to as insulin resistance. Insulin is the hormone that stimulates cells to uptake glucose from the blood to use for energy.

Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Pathophysiology

Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms

Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis

Type 2 Diabetes Screening and Prevention

Type 2 Diabetes Treatment

Living With Type 2 Diabetes

Vitamin D and Type 2 Diabetes

Is a Plant-Based Diet Good for Type 2 Diabetes?

Are Low Carbohydrate Diets Good for Type 2 Diabetes?

What is Insulin Resistance?

Insulin Resistance Pathophysiology

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Insulin Resistance Treatment

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The Risks of Prediabetes

What is Diabetes?

Fibromyalgia and Diabetes

Diabetes in Men versus Women

Insulin Medication

Latest Type 2 Diabetes News and Research

What’s behind Gen Z’s skepticism about Ozempic and Wegovy

A U.S. study of over 500 youth aged 14–24 found high awareness but widespread hesitation about using semaglutide for weight loss. Concerns focused on safety, social stigma, and a preference for lifestyle changes like diet and exercise.

24 Apr 2025

Common diabetes drug can reduce the pain of people with knee osteoarthritis and obesity

A common diabetes drug can reduce the pain of people with knee osteoarthritis and overweight or obesity, possibly delaying the need for knee replacements, Monash University-led research has found.

24 Apr 2025

Breakthrough DNA editing in Lactobacillus offers safer probiotics

A Kobe University team was able to edit the DNA of Lactobacillus strains directly without a template from other organisms.

24 Apr 2025

Body image concerns drive interest in GLP-1 weight loss drugs, study finds

A new study from Rutgers University links higher body dissatisfaction, BMI, and maladaptive weight loss behaviors with interest in GLP-1 medications for weight loss. Conversely, body appreciation appears to protect against this interest, especially in the face of potential side effects.

23 Apr 2025

UK public backs food tax, if it makes healthy food more affordable

A nationally representative UK survey found that 48% of adults support taxing unhealthy foods, with support rising to 72% if revenues make healthy foods cheaper. Public backing was strongest among non-manual workers and Londoners, and weakest among lower-income and unemployed groups.

23 Apr 2025

New $15 million study aims to understand cardiovascular and kidney disease risk factors in women

Research teams from Augusta University, Massachusetts General Hospital and The Ohio State University will lead a $15 million project dedicated to studying the various ways that risk factors for cardiovascular and kidney diseases impact women.

22 Apr 2025

New noninvasive method for early diabetes risk detection

The highs and lows of blood glucose aren't just an energy rollercoaster; they could be a key to detecting diabetes risk early and spare you a needle prick or two.

22 Apr 2025

Diabetes drugs GLP-1RA and SGLT2i lower dementia risk in older adults, study finds

A large population-based study found that GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2is), two classes of glucose-lowering drugs used in type 2 diabetes, were associated with a significantly reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). These findings suggest potential neuroprotective benefits and highlight drug repurposing as a promising strategy for ADRD prevention.

21 Apr 2025

Why “eat 1 more” boosts fruit and vegetable intake more than “5 a day”

Setting specific goals, especially achievable ones like "Eat 1 more", significantly increased fruit and vegetable intake in both controlled and real-world environments. However, whether the goal was framed around current or future benefits had little impact on consumption.

18 Apr 2025

Nontraditional risk factors linked to stroke in adults under 50

Adults younger than 50 years of age had more than double the risk of having a stroke from migraine or other nontraditional stroke risk factors rather than traditional risks such as high blood pressure, according to research published today in Stroke, the peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association.

17 Apr 2025

Diabetes medications may help shield the brain from cognitive decline

A study led by researchers in the University of Florida College of Pharmacy has found that a pair of popular glucose-lowering medications may have protective effects against the development of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

16 Apr 2025

Mitochondria found to fuel dangerous growth in aging blood stem cells

As we age, blood stem cells, the essential source of new blood cells in the body, can accumulate genetic mutations.

16 Apr 2025

New study examines how obesity alters brain's reward circuits

Obesity is on the rise. Among U.S. adults aged 20 or older, 4 in 10 met the criteria for obesity in the most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, up from roughly 3 in 10 two decades earlier.

15 Apr 2025

New analysis clarified the link between "exclusive" use of e-cigarettes and COPD

A Johns Hopkins Medicine-led analysis of medical information gathered on a diverse group of almost 250,000 people over four years has significantly clarified the link between the "exclusive" use of e-cigarettes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as high blood pressure in a sub-group of adults 30 to 70 years of age.

15 Apr 2025

Peanuts pack a punch for youth: study finds cellular benefits

Daily consumption of skin-roasted peanuts for six months led to a modest but significant increase in telomere length among young, healthy adults, while peanut butter did not show this effect.

15 Apr 2025

New findings highlight a shifting landscape for weight loss and glucose managing medications

When it comes to managing weight loss and type 2 diabetes with medications, research shows that it's out with the old and in with the new.

15 Apr 2025

Gen Z orders 6x more takeout online than seniors—how age reshapes global food habits

Over half of adults in five countries used online food retail platforms in the past month, with the highest use in Mexico and the US. Younger adults, men, ethnic minorities, and families with children were significantly more likely to order food online.

14 Apr 2025

Multidimensional sleep health linked to better cardiometabolic outcomes

Healthy sleep includes multiple components, such as number of hours of sleep per night, how long it takes to fall asleep, daytime functioning and self-reported sleep satisfaction, and addressing these different dimensions of sleep may help to reduce cardiometabolic health and related risk factors, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement published today in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

14 Apr 2025

Food pantries uncover hidden diabetes crisis in West Chicago

A screening initiative in West Chicago found that 50% of food-insecure individuals had abnormal A1c levels, with many unaware they were diabetic or prediabetic. The findings highlight a critical gap in diagnosis and control among underserved communities.

13 Apr 2025

Who really decides what Australians eat? New study reveals financial sector’s hidden power

A new study explores how financial and non-financial actors shape food system investments in Australia, revealing who holds the power to promote—or prevent—healthier food environments. It introduces “profit-plus investing” as a potential tool for aligning finance with public health.

13 Apr 2025