Obesity...High blood pressure and poor cholesterol...Insulin resistance...Smoking...Pregnancy... 

They are more than common health woes. They also happen to be five factors that raise the risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), an estimated 25.9 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, and another 79 million are at high risk with a condition known as prediabetes. 

Like G.I. Joe says, knowing is half the battle. Educating yourself is the first step in lowering your risk of developing this debilitating disease. Check out the five causes below and learn how you can prevent diabetes before it's too late.