(November 19, 2008 - Insidermedicine) Genes associated with type 2 diabetes can help predict who will develop the condition, but do not offer much new information over that which is available from known risk factors, according to research in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Here are some ways to help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes:

•    Maintain a physically active lifestyle.

•    Avoid becoming obese and, if you are obese, try to lose weight.

•    Try to minimize the amount of saturated and trans fats in your diet.

Researchers out of Massachusetts General Hospital conducted genetic testing on over 2,000 individuals participating in a long-term observational study. Each participant received a score based on how many of several genes known to be associated with diabetes they carried.

Overall, the genetic score was 17.7 among those who developed diabetes and 17.1 among those who did not. While the genetic score did help predict who would develop diabetes, once other known risk factors were taken into consideration, such as gender and family history, it offered little additional predictive power.

We had a chance to speak with Dr. James Meigs, the principal investigator of this study, who offered some further insight.

Today’s research demonstrates that while genetic testing can help predict who will develop type 2 diabetes, it is no more useful than simply looking at known risk factors for the condition.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.