Final answer:
Option (c), Type II diabetes is primarily characterized by insulin resistance, where the body's cells do not respond effectively to insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels and the risk of malnutrition and other health complications.
Step-by-step explanation:
Type II diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance. This condition occurs when the cells in the body do not respond properly to insulin, as a result of malfunctioning insulin-receptor sites. Despite the fact that the pancreas is producing an adequate amount of insulin, the cells cannot efficiently uptake glucose from the blood, leading to high blood glucose levels.
Over time, this can be exacerbated by a secondary reduction in insulin secretion as the pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin can become overworked and exhausted. The characterization of type II diabetes as "starving in a sea of plenty" aptly describes the state of high blood glucose without adequate intracellular glucose uptake, leading to potential malnutrition and systemic complications.
Risk factors for type 2 diabetes, such as obesity and inactivity, can profoundly impact the development of this metabolic disorder. Effective management, including lifestyle changes like regular physical activity and a healthy diet, can significantly improve insulin sensitivity. In some cases, weight loss and lifestyle changes can even reverse the condition. When these measures are not enough, medications or insulin injections might be prescribed to help control blood glucose levels.