Which factor is most strongly associated with the development of type 2 diabetes in adults?

• A. High-fiber diet
• B. Being overweight
• C. Regular physical activity
• D. Adequate sleep

Answer: (B)

Excess body weight, especially abdominal fat, drives insulin resistance, which is the central mechanism behind type 2 diabetes. When there’s more adipose tissue, it releases fatty acids and inflammatory signals that blunt insulin’s ability to promote glucose uptake in muscle and to suppress glucose production by the liver. As insulin resistance grows, the pancreas tries to compensate by producing more insulin, but over time the beta cells can’t keep up, and blood sugar rises.

Other factors influence risk too: regular physical activity improves insulin sensitivity and helps with weight control; a high-fiber diet supports better blood sugar regulation and weight management; and adequate sleep affects metabolic health. Yet when it comes to how strongly they're linked, being overweight stands out as the most influential factor in the development of type 2 diabetes in adults.