“Jack Spratt” Gene Explains Diabetes in Lean People

By Kathleen Blanchard RN for EmaxHealth.com

Several reasons have been proposed about why thin people – not just obese – develop type 2 diabetes. In addition to a recent finding that some people are obese but healthy and diabetes free, researchers have now identified the ‘Jack Spratt’ gene that predisposes people to the disease.

Finding shows obesity drives type 2 diabetes for most, but not all
The finding is the first to show lean people develop type 2 diabetes from genes, while for others the cause is associated with obesity and inactivity.

According to the study authors, “Individuals with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) can present with variable clinical characteristics. It is well known that obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, yet patients can vary considerably -— there are many lean diabetes patients and many overweight people without diabetes.”