Rohit Mehra Rohit Mehra Asked 5 months ago

Can skinny people get diabetes?

I've always been quite thin, and I generally eat healthy, so I never really worried about health issues like diabetes. But my friend, who is also thin, recently got diagnosed. Can skinny people like us actually get diabetes?

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6 answers

Rahul Dev Rahul Dev Joined Feb 2026 5 months ago
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Yes, they absolutely can. It is a myth that only overweight people get diabetes; thin people can have high visceral fat around their organs, often called 'skinny fat'. If your doctor clears you, starting daily brisk walking for 30 minutes and strength training can really help manage insulin sensitivity.

Sameer Khan Sameer Khan Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

Definitely, being skinny doesn't make you immune. It's often due to genetics or poor muscle mass and a diet high in processed carbs. Focusing on a high-protein diet and hitting the gym to build some clean muscle can make a huge difference in how your body processes sugar.

Ananya Hegde Ananya Hegde Joined Apr 2026 5 months ago

Yes, thin people can definitely get Type 2 diabetes, often referred to as TOFI (Thin Outside, Fat Inside). I track my blood glucose and daily steps on my smartwatch to stay on top of my metabolic health. Getting a simple HbA1c test done will give you a clear picture of your status.

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Consult a endocrinologist

Ravi Shastri Ravi Shastri Joined Jan 2026 5 months ago

Life is quite unfair, na? You starve yourself to stay slim, and you can still get diabetes! Yes, skinny people can get it too, unfortunately. It is all about genetics and what is happening inside the body. Best to get tested rather than assuming you are safe just because your jeans still fit.

Kriti Sharma Kriti Sharma Joined Apr 2026 5 months ago

I am quite thin and my blood sugar came back slightly high in a recent test. I am so scared because I thought only older or heavy people get this. Has anyone else who is skinny gone through this? How did you manage it?

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Sridhar Venkatesh Sridhar Venkatesh Joined Mar 2026 5 months ago

Yes, in my own family, my uncle is very lean but was diagnosed with diabetes years ago. Elders used to say thin people don't get it, but our family doctor explained that genetics and stress play a huge role. It is always best to trust medical tests rather than physical appearance.

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