Which factor commonly contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes?

Which factor commonly contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes?

• A. Autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells
• B. Genetic mutation causing insulin overproduction
• C. Obesity leading to insulin resistance
• D. Vitamin deficiency

Answer: (C)

Obesity leading to insulin resistance is a common driver of type 2 diabetes. When body fat increases, especially around the abdomen, fat tissue releases inflammatory molecules and free fatty acids that disrupt how insulin signals in muscles, fat, and the liver. This makes cells less responsive to insulin, so glucose stays in the blood rather than being taken up into cells. The pancreas tries to compensate by producing more insulin, but over time the beta cells can wear out, leading to rising blood glucose levels. The other options don’t fit as well. Autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells is the hallmark of type 1 diabetes, not type 2. A genetic mutation causing insulin overproduction is not a typical pathway for type 2 diabetes and isn’t common clinically. A vitamin deficiency isn’t a primary cause of type 2 diabetes, though deficiencies can affect health in other ways.

Obesity leading to insulin resistance is a common driver of type 2 diabetes. When body fat increases, especially around the abdomen, fat tissue releases inflammatory molecules and free fatty acids that disrupt how insulin signals in muscles, fat, and the liver. This makes cells less responsive to insulin, so glucose stays in the blood rather than being taken up into cells. The pancreas tries to compensate by producing more insulin, but over time the beta cells can wear out, leading to rising blood glucose levels.

The other options don’t fit as well. Autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells is the hallmark of type 1 diabetes, not type 2. A genetic mutation causing insulin overproduction is not a typical pathway for type 2 diabetes and isn’t common clinically. A vitamin deficiency isn’t a primary cause of type 2 diabetes, though deficiencies can affect health in other ways.