What is type two diabetes also known as?

Type two diabetes is known as adult-onset diabetes because it typically develops in adults, often as a result of lifestyle choices and is associated with factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and a family history of the disease. This form of diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance, where the body's cells do not respond effectively to insulin, combined with an eventual decline in insulin production by the pancreas.

The terminology "adult-onset" reflects the common onset age for this condition, although it is increasingly diagnosed in younger populations due to rising obesity rates. The other terms listed refer to different types of diabetes; juvenile diabetes is primarily associated with type one diabetes, gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy, and type one diabetes is an autoimmune condition generally diagnosed in childhood or adolescence.