Type 2 Diabetes Overview Type 2 diabetes, once called non-
insulin-dependent diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes,
affecting 90% to 95% of the 26 million Americans with diabetes.
What Is Type 2 Diabetes? Unlike people with type 1 diabetes, the
bodies of people with type 2 diabetes make insulin. But either
their pancreas does not make enough insulin or the body cannot
use the insulin well enough. This is called insulin resistance.
When there isn't enough insulin or the insulin is not used as it
should be, glucose (sugar) can't get into the body's cells. When
glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, the
body's cells are not able to function properly. Other problems
associated with the buildup of glucose in the blood include: