What is a key characteristic of Type II diabetes?

The key characteristic of Type II diabetes is that it is non-insulin dependent and typically develops in adults. This form of diabetes is often associated with insulin resistance, where the body's cells do not respond effectively to insulin, leading to elevated blood glucose levels. In Type II diabetes, the pancreas may produce insulin, but it is either insufficient for the body's needs or the cells cannot use it effectively.

This characteristic highlights the distinction between Type II diabetes and Type I diabetes, where individuals are usually insulin-dependent because the body produces little to no insulin due to an autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Additionally, Type II diabetes is more commonly diagnosed in adults, although rising obesity rates have led to an increase in cases among younger populations.