AskMd Logo
Ask
Insights
Learn
Rewards
Allison Jones
Profile
DiabetesGeneral WellnessPreventive Care

Overtime work increases your diabetes risk, says study—plus, 12 other factors

Logging more than 45 weekly work hours can up your odds for this condition.

Jan 18, 2026
Home page>Endocrinology>Diabetes>Overtime work increases your diabetes risk, says study—plus, 12 other factors
Written byJameson Kowalczyk
Medically reviewedbyMark Arredondo, MDin June 2024
Are You At Risk for Type 2 Diabetes?
You work too much
You're a couch potato
You have belly fat
You haven't had a glucose test
You don’t get enough sleep
You eat a bad diet
You live with stress
You guzzle sugary drinks
You have hypertension
You're depressed
You're getting older
Your family has diabetes
Your race or ethnicity
1 / 14

Are You At Risk for Type 2 Diabetes?

More than 30 million Americans have either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, metabolic disorders that result in too much glucose (sugar) in your blood. Another 84 million Americans have prediabetes, a condition that, if left untreated, could lead to type 2 diabetes within 5 years.

Type 1 diabetes, often diagnosed in childhood, is the result of the body failing to produce insulin—it's not something you can prevent. People with the second and most common form of the disease—type 2—cannot use the insulin their body's produce. Anyone can be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, but it's most common among middle-aged and older adults.

There are some diabetes risks we can't alter, like family history, age and ethnicity. But factors like weight, diet and daily activity can be tweaked to reduce your risk of the condition. Read on for 13 of the biggest diabetes risks, and find out what you can do to decrease your odds.

AskMDAskMD

Questions about managing diabetes?

Get instant answers from our AI health assistant

Ask Now

Recommended for you

Slideshow
7 lifestyle changes to help reduce diabetes riskLower your odds of developing the condition with these wise strategies.
Slideshow
6 ways your job may be hurting your healthFind out how working too much can make you sick—and what you can do about it.
Slideshow
6 surprising factors that increase your obesity riskYou knew overeating and inactivity can raise your odds—but the list doesn't end there.
Slideshow
9 ways to lower your risk of diabetesFind out how you can help prevent diabetes and prediabetes by making simple lifestyle changes.
Slideshow
6 bad habits to nix if you have diabetesBad health habits can lead to diabetes complications. Get a handle on diabetes with expert tips to keep blood sugar steady, avoid weight gain and more.
AskMd LogoAskMd Logo
CookiesYour privacy choices
PrivacyConsumer health data privacyTerms

Copyright Sharecare © 2026