How is Type 2 diabetes characterized?

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by the body's inability to effectively use insulin, either due to insufficient production by the pancreas or because the insulin produced is ineffective in promoting glucose uptake by the body's cells. This condition often develops over time and is commonly associated with risk factors such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and genetics.

In type 2 diabetes, the insulin resistance leads to elevated blood glucose levels, which can cause various health complications if not managed properly. Unlike Type 1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system attacks insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, Type 2 generally develops due to lifestyle factors and is more prevalent in adults, although rates in younger populations are increasing due to rising obesity rates.

The key aspect of Type 2 diabetes is thus the relative inadequacy of insulin function rather than an overall increase in insulin production or secretion.