Type 2 diabetes is a chronic (lifelong) disease marked by high
levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Type 2 diabetes is the
most common form of diabetes. Causes, incidence, and risk
factors: Diabetes is caused by a problem in the way your body
makes or uses insulin. Insulin is needed to move blood sugar
(glucose) into cells, where it is stored and later used for
energy. When you have type 2 diabetes, the body does not respond
correctly to insulin. This is called insulin resistance. Insulin
resistance means that fat, liver, and muscle cells do not
respond normally to insulin. As a result blood sugar does not
get into cells to be stored for energy. When sugar cannot enter
cells, abnormally high levels of sugar build up in the blood.
This is called hyperglycemia. High levels of blood sugar often
trigger the pancreas to produce more and more insulin, but it is
not enough to keep up with the body's demand. People who are
overweight are more likely to have insulin resistance, because
fat interferes with the body'