Which client is at greatest risk for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus?

• A. 48-year-old African-American male who is obese and has a family history of type 2 DM
• B. 50-year-old male with a hemoglobin A1C of 5.5%
• C. 30-year-old female who delivered a 9-pound baby
• D. 62-year-old male with an elevated triglyceride level

Answer: (A)

The client who is a 48-year-old African-American male, who is obese and has a family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, is at the greatest risk for developing this condition due to several key factors.

Obesity is one of the most significant risk factors for type 2 diabetes, as excess body fat, particularly around the abdomen, is associated with insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a primary feature of type 2 diabetes, where the body's cells become less responsive to insulin, leading to elevated blood glucose levels.

Additionally, there is a genetic component to the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. A family history of diabetes can significantly increase an individual's risk, indicating a hereditary predisposition to the condition. The combination of being African-American, which has been observed in numerous studies to correlate with higher rates of type 2 diabetes, along with obesity and family history, places this individual in a high-risk category.

While the other clients described may possess risk factors, their overall profiles do not present as high a risk. For instance, a hemoglobin A1C of 5.5% indicates normal blood glucose levels, and while a 30-year-old female who delivered a 9-pound baby may experience increased risk due to having had