The results of the research show that the key risk factors for developing type II diabetes depend on several variables. Even though weight and diet are generally considered the key factors that increase or reduce the possibility of having diabetes, the research shows that there are still many other variables to take into account. Splitting the key factors into three major sections, namely, demographics, clinical and dietary factors, one can see a more detailed picture. Speaking of such demographic factors as race, the white population suffers from it in the majority of cases (635, or 94.4%), unlike the rest of the races (38, or 5.4%), the remaining 0.2% belonging to the white population in the control group. As far as the family history goes, one must admit that type II diabetes is a hereditary disease since 46.3% of the tested had diabetes running in their families (323 people). Weirdly enough, smoking, the habit that is ranked as one of the most harmful ones, seems to have little to do with diabetes (99 people, or 14.2% of the total number). In addition, diabetes, type II seems to manifest itself in the women who are in the postmenstrual phase (65.8%, or 495 people). Finally, age seems to be the defining factor, since there are only 6.9% of young people (57) in the studied group. It is noteworthy, however, that the p-value for the given data is very high (.63 to.83 in 5 cases out of 6), which means that the given data is rather relative. However, clinical factors also seem to play a great role in creating the premises for diabetes development. In contrast to the demographic ones, the clinical data, reasonably enough, have a very low p-value rate (<0.01), which means that the given data is credible enough. Of all the factors, the crucial ones are the amount of ferritin and the ratio of transferrin receptors to ferritin (79.7 % (105 participants) and 41.8% (102 participants) respectively). As one might have expected, the subjects with lower transferrin concentration had more risks of developing diabetes. The above-mentioned seems rather predictable since soluble transferrin receptor levels are considered the early indicators of iron deficiency and, therefore, a threat of type II diabetes (de Block et al. 1384). Finally, the dietary issues also seem to matter, especially the percentage of magnesium (293 (55.3%)). It is also necessary to mention that the study has shown a clear link between alcohol consumption and diabetes. According to the research results, the increase in alcohol consumption by 5 g/d raises the ferritin concentration.
Analyzing the above-mentioned research data, one must mention that the research had its limitations. To start with, it could not embrace the entire variety of possible victims of diabetes; though people of a different races, age groups, and gender were involved, the precision of the results is still somewhere in the middle. As for the research outcomes, it is necessary to mention that some of the most widespread myths, like the link between smoking and diabetes, have been proven wrong. In addition, the relation between transferring rates and the risks of diabetes has been discovered. Once the key factors that cause diabetes are defined, it is possible to come up with solutions for avoiding type II diabetes development in children and adults.
Reference
De Block, Christophe E. M. et al. “Soluble Transferrin Perception Level.” Diabetes Care 23.9 (2000): 1384–1388. Print.