A person with some or all of the following listed health risk factors may never develop type 2 diabetes. However, the latest medical findings show that the chances of getting type 2 diabetes increase the more health risk factors you have. * A family history of diabetes . If a parent or sibling in your family has diabetes, your risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases. * Age over 45. The chance of getting type 2 diabetes increases with age. * Race or ethnic background . The risk of type 2 diabetes is greater in Hispanics, blacks, Native Americans, and Asians. * Metabolic syndrome (also called insulin resistance syndrome) * Being overweight . If you are overweight, defined as a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25, you're at higher risk of type 2 diabetes. * Hypertension. High blood pressure increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. * Abnormal cholesterol levels. HDL ("good") cholesterol levels under 35 mg/dL (milligrams per decil...