Want more tips and tricks for reaching your health goals? Join Lark!

Take our 2-minute survey to find out if you’re eligible to join Lark which includes a smart scale and the chance to earn a Fitbit®.
Start now
*Terms and conditions apply
Close icon

Interested in more health & wellness content from Lark? Let’s stay in touch.

Sign up below for more information from Lark
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Close icon
< Back to Resource Center
< Back to Member Blog

The Genetics of Diabetes and What You Can Do About It

Natalie
Stein
September 22, 2022
The Genetics of Diabetes and What You Can Do About It - Lark Health
Lark

Are you at risk of prediabetes?

Lark can help lower your risk for Type 2 Diabetes through healthy habit formation, and data tracking.
Height: 5 ft 4 in
4' 0"
7' 0"
Weight: 160 lbs
90 lbs
500 lbs
LOW RISK
Risk Level
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

What could 15% weight loss mean for you?

Feel more energetic and significantly reduce your risk of chronic conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

By clicking the button above, you agree to the Lark Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, and SMS Terms.

Current Weight: 250 lbs
120 lbs
500 lbs
Your weight loss could be*
- - lbs
Your new weight: -- lbs
Am I eligible?

By clicking the button above, you agree to the Lark Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, and SMS Terms.

*Results may vary. Based on the average weight loss in three, 68-week clinical trials of patients without diabetes who reached and maintained a dose of 2.4mg/week of GLP-1 treatment, along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. View study here.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.


As someone with prediabetes or high risk for type 2 diabetes, and as a Lark DPP user, you have already learned a great deal about weight loss, physical activity, and lowering risk for diabetes. A lot of the focus of prediabetes and diabetes is on these and other modifiable risk factors, or factors that you can do something about. As the Lark DPP check-in pointed out, genes can also play a role. Here is more about how genes may affect diabetes risk and what you can do about it.

The Role of Genetics in Diabetes

Get Support

Do one or both of your parents have type 2 diabetes? Did one or more of your grandparents develop it at some point, or do any of your siblings, aunts, uncles, or cousins have it? It is not surprising if you have relatives with diabetes, since it does appear to have genetic components. Gene-related, or non-lifestyle, risk factors that may have contributed to developing prediabetes and putting you at higher risk for diabetes, include being of African-American, Asian-American, Pacific Island, Native American, or Hispanic-American ethnicity.

Scientific studies have delved deeper into the link between genes and diabetes risk. Researchers have identified a number of genes that may affect risk for diabetes. It is easy to find out whether you have high or normal risk for diabetes by taking a genetic test from 23andMe. The test:

  • Is painless and requires only a saliva sample
  • Gives results in 3 to 5 weeks
  • Lets you know other health and genetic information, such as whether you are a carrier for certain genetic disorders or whether you have higher than normal risk for certain conditions

You may even be eligible for Lark coaching with genetic-personalized coaching based on 23andMe results.

The Power of Lifestyle Changes

Walking

Being born with genes that put you at higher risk does not mean that you will get diabetes. Lifestyle changes, including habits you may develop when using Lark DPP, can still be effective at lowering risk. For example, exercising raises insulin sensitivity and lowers blood sugar regardless of whether genes or other factors caused insulin resistance and high blood sugar. Similarly, losing weight, getting enough sleep, and eating a nutritious diet all support lower blood sugar and lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

Get Healthy Together

Family

Do others in your family share a genetic risk for diabetes? Are there members of your family with prediabetes or diabetes? Then why not work together to live healthy? Healthy living, along with lower blood sugar, can be a family trait that you choose.

As a family, you can:

  • Cook healthy meals together when you have time
  • Walk together if you live close together, or plan to be on the phone with each other while walking if you live far apart
  • Take turns cooking and sharing healthy dishes so each person or household needs to cook less frequently
  • Choose more active outings, such as going to the zoo instead of the movies
  • Select restaurants that have healthier options when you are going out to eat as a family
  • Take turns with duties such as child care and grocery shopping to free up time for working out
  • Support each other's health journey with encouragement, tips, and check-ins
  • Remind each other to use Lark DPP for tips, logging, and support

Prediabetes and diabetes can be family matters, and that can work in your favor. Healthy lifestyle behaviors can lower your risk, and your entire family can work together to make any necessary changes to keep blood sugar down and lower diabetes risk. 

About Lark

Lark helps you eat better, move more, stress less, and improve your overall wellness. Lark’s digital coach is available 24/7 on your smartphone to give you personalized tips, recommendations, and motivation to lose weight and prevent chronic conditions like diabetes.

Read more

Get healthier with Lark & earn a Fitbit®

Lose weight, get more active, and eat better.
take 1-minute survey

See if Ozempic® is covered by insurance

Curb cravings and reach your weight loss goals!
AM I ELIGIBLE?

Similar posts

Green beans with feta cheese and pine nutsGreen beans with feta cheese and pine nuts

Healthy Late-Night Snacks for Weight Loss

People say eating at night can lead to weight gain, but what if you’re hungry? Here are some tips to keep evening snacks healthy so you can go to bed without being hungry.

Learn more
Eight Tips for Healthy Eating on a Budget Plus Ten Healthy Low-Cost MealsEight Tips for Healthy Eating on a Budget Plus Ten Healthy Low-Cost Meals
Weight Loss & Diet

Eight Tips for Healthy Eating on a Budget Plus Ten Healthy Low-Cost Meals

Prices seem to be going up every day, but there are some tips and tricks that can help you stick to your health goals. Here are eight tips to eat healthy on a budget.

Learn more
Ways to Measure Progress without a ScaleWays to Measure Progress without a Scale

Ways to Measure Progress without a Scale

Losing extra pounds can make a dramatic difference in your health risk, but there are other ways to measure progress.

Learn more