Utah Special Function Officer (SFO) Practice Exam

Which type of diabetes is known to be hereditary?

1. Type 1

2. Type 2

3. Gestational

4. All types

The correct answer is: Type 1

Type 1 diabetes is often referred to as an autoimmune condition where the body's immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. While it has a genetic component, it is not as strongly linked to family history as Type 2 diabetes. However, studies show that individuals with a family history of Type 1 diabetes have a higher risk of developing the condition themselves. The hereditary aspect, although significant, is more complex compared to Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, has a much stronger hereditary link. It is influenced by genetics as well as lifestyle factors. Individuals with a family history of Type 2 diabetes are at a much higher risk, making it a well-recognized hereditary disease. Gestational diabetes, developing during pregnancy, does not have a direct hereditary link in the way Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes does, though it can increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. While Type 1 diabetes does have a hereditary aspect, the strongest hereditary association exists for Type 2 diabetes. Therefore, the answer identifying Type 1 diabetes as inherently hereditary may not adequately capture the broader context of diabetes heredity.