Final answer:
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, requiring insulin injections, and it often develops in younger individuals. Type 2 diabetes involves insulin resistance, can often be managed with lifestyle changes and is linked to obesity and age, but it's also now seen increasingly in younger people due to lifestyle factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary distinction between Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes lies in their respective mechanisms and causes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the pancreas is unable to produce insulin due to the destruction of insulin-secreting beta cells. This type usually develops in childhood or adolescence and necessitates lifelong insulin replacement for survival.
Conversely, Type 2 diabetes chiefly occurs in individuals who have developed insulin resistance, where the body's cells fail to respond effectively to insulin. This form can often be managed with lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and exercise, and it is associated with factors such as obesity and age, although it is now also increasingly diagnosed in younger individuals.
While Type 1 diabetes requires insulin therapy, Type 2 diabetes may also require such treatment if blood glucose levels cannot be controlled through lifestyle adjustments alone. Genetics play a role in the risk for both types of diabetes, but Type 1 is not caused by lack of exercise, nor is Type 2 solely caused by obesity.