Final answer:
True. Women who have gestational diabetes are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Women who have gestational diabetes are indeed at risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life. The statement is true. Gestational diabetes is a condition that occurs during pregnancy and it similarly involves insulin resistance. Factors that contribute to type 2 diabetes include obesity, metabolic syndrome, and genetics. Women who have had gestational diabetes have already displayed the body's inability to deal with insulin properly, which puts them at higher risk for the insulin resistance that characterizes type 2 diabetes. Moreover, having certain genes may increase the risk. Other risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes after gestational diabetes include physical inactivity and the presence of pre-diabetes. If the blood glucose levels remain uncontrolled, the progression to type 2 diabetes is more likely.
Type 2 diabetes is a significant health issue, accounting for roughly 90% of all diabetes cases. It mainly develops due to cells becoming resistant to insulin, and while it traditionally begins after the age of 40, the age of onset is decreasing. Lifestyle changes, including healthy diet and regular physical activity, can often reverse type 2 diabetes or prevent its onset after gestational diabetes.