Final answer:
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance and genetic predisposition. Obesity is a common risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance, which occurs when cells of the body become unresponsive to insulin. Insulin resistance is usually a result of lifestyle factors such as poor diet, inactivity, and obesity. Genetic predisposition is also a characteristic of type 2 diabetes. Obesity is a common risk factor for type 2 diabetes, with about 80 to 90 percent of people with type 2 diabetes being overweight or obese.