Final answer:
Insulin resistance is a hallmark of Type II diabetes mellitus, resulting from cells in the body becoming less responsive to insulin, contributing to high blood sugar levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
Insulin resistance most commonly occurs in Type II diabetes mellitus. This condition happens when the body's cells become unresponsive to insulin, which is the hormone that regulates blood glucose levels. Cells fail to absorb sufficient glucose from the bloodstream, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. In Type II diabetes, not only does insulin resistance play a crucial role, but there is also often a reduction in insulin secretion by the pancreas.
Risk factors for developing this multifactorial disorder include obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. Insulin resistance sharply contrasts with Type I diabetes mellitus, where an autoimmune response destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leading to an absolute insulin deficiency. However, insulin resistance is not associated with Type IA or IB diabetes mellitus, neurogenic diabetes insipidus, or nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, each of which involves different pathophysiological mechanisms.