Many diabetes risk factors affect women and men. Examples of these include:

• Family history. Individuals with a family history of diabetes have an increased risk of developing the condition.
  
  
• Race. Certain races are more prone to developing a specific type of diabetes than others. For instance, black Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans and Asians are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than whites. Whites have higher rates of type 1 diabetes than people of other races.
  
  
• Weight. Overweight or obese individuals have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In fact, about 80 percent of people who have type 2 diabetes are considered to be overweight or obese.
  
  
• Activity level. Low levels of physical activity and poor exercise habits increase the odds of developing type 2 diabetes.
  
  
• Other lifestyle factors. Cigarette smoking and alcohol abuse increase a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes, although moderate use of alcohol may help prevent diabetes, according to some research. Other potential risk factors for diabetes include stress and inadequate sleep.

There are also certain diabetes risk factors that affect only women. These include polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and gestational diabetes. PCOS is a genetically complex hormonal disorder that causes irregular menstruation, excessive hair growth and obesity. Though it often appears during adolescence, it may not become apparent until later in life when a woman has difficulty becoming pregnant.

PCOS is significant as it is considered a major risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes in women. With a prevalence of 5 to 10 percent, PCOS is considered to be the most common hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age in the United States.

PCOS causes small cysts on the ovaries, as well as an increase in the level of androgens (male hormones). This can lead to infertility problems or even the development of insulin resistance. Insulin resistance occurs when normal levels of insulin produced by the pancreas are unable to get to the cells. As a result, the risk for type 2 diabetes goes up.

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can occur only during pregnancy. Black American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American women have an increased risk of developing this condition. Gestational diabetes is also more common among obese patients and those with a family history of diabetes.

About 5 to 10 percent of women with gestational diabetes develop type 2 diabetes after pregnancy. Patients who have had gestational diabetes have a 20 to 50 percent chance of developing type 2 diabetes within five to 10 years of their pregnancy.

In addition, medications including estrogens and injected contraceptives may lead to secondary diabetes.