Genetic Connection to Diabetes Risk Overestimated

Genes are not as useful at determining type 2 diabetes risk as are traditional risk factors such as weight, age, and gender, according to a new review in this month’s issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology. Researchers analyzed data from 23 studies and determined that genetic testing may have a place for some people, perhaps younger populations, but that compared with conventional risk factors, genetic testing is not as useful as some had previously thought.

Some traditional risk factors for diabetes are easily mitigated with dietary and other lifestyle interventions.