Hereditary Diabetes ?

My 48-year-old sister has recently been diagnosed with diabetes. No one else in my family has ever had it, but could I be at risk of developing it too?

A new diagnosis of diabetes at 48 is almost certainly type 2 diabetes – the type that is usually treated with diet and tablets rather than insulin. Relatives of anyone with type 2 diabetes have a slight increased risk of developing the condition but the single biggest risk factor is weight gain. The fact that your sister has developed the disease makes it vital for you that you keep your weight under control. You should aim for a body mass index (BMI) of between 20 and 25. To calculate your BMI, divide your weight in kilos by the square of your height in metres.