Geeta Devi Geeta Devi Asked 4 months ago

Do you have to be overweight to have diabetes?

My neighbour, who is quite thin, was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I always thought diabetes only affected overweight people. Is it possible to have diabetes even if you are not overweight?

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7 answers

Shalini Misra Shalini Misra Joined May 2026 4 months ago
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I am actually quite petite and active, but my blood sugar came back pre-diabetic last week. Has anyone else experienced this? It's really making me anxious because I always thought diabetes only happened if you are overweight.

Riya Sen Riya Sen Joined Mar 2026 4 months ago

Hey, don't stress too much! Diabetes can happen to anyone regardless of their size because of genes, stress, or even poor sleep. Just focus on eating healthy meals and don't let those weight stereotypes worry you.

Prabhakar Naidu Prabhakar Naidu Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

You definitely don't need to be overweight. I have had Type 2 diabetes for ten years while maintaining a very lean frame. My advice is to focus on your muscle-to-fat ratio, avoid refined flour, and do some basic weight training.

Meenakshi Iyer Meenakshi Iyer Joined Feb 2026 4 months ago

No, diet quality matters more than just body weight. Even thin people who eat too many processed carbs or polished white rice can develop diabetes. I highly recommend switching to whole grains like ragi or brown rice in limited portions.

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Consult a endocrinologist

Vikram Malhotra Vikram Malhotra Joined Mar 2026 4 months ago

That is an old myth. Many slim corporate workers in metros get diabetes due to high cortisol levels from stress and poor lifestyle. Get an HbA1c test done annually to know your actual numbers instead of relying on looks.

Hasmukh Patel Hasmukh Patel Joined May 2026 4 months ago

Weight is not the only factor, as thin people can also have high sugar due to hereditary reasons. Try to drink some warm methi water in the morning and reduce sweet foods. But if you have constant thirst or fatigue, please see a proper doctor.

Karan Dev Karan Dev Joined Jan 2026 4 months ago

Not at all, thin people can have visceral fat around their organs which causes insulin resistance. Along with a good diet, try incorporating 30 minutes of brisk walking or light jogging daily. Keeping your body active helps manage blood glucose levels wonderfully.

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