From my perspective and experience, if anyone said to me that I had type 2 diabetes because I was fat, I would agree with them.
Yes, there is a genetic aspect to it as well, but a significant proportion of people can control their symptoms by losing the weight.
It is no coincidence that I was very ill when I was 20st. I was so bad that I lost weight due to severe insulin resistance and was eventually diagnosed with type 2 weighing 18.5st
Then, after sorting myself out, I weighed 14st and my HbA1c was in the normal range.
More recently, my weight has gone up to 15.5st and my HbA1c has deteriorated again and I am trying to get my weight down. I am due for another check up next week, so will see how I have progressed.
To sum up. Many people seem to suggest that having type 2 diabetes and expressing the symptoms that we see has nothing to do with one's weight. I must respectfully disagree with that assessment. But, of course, life is quite complicated and there is no one answer to this condition. Yes, some overweight people don't have type 2 diabetes. Yes, some apparently slim people do. But don't just make the statement that "my diabetes has nothing to do with my weight because I know someone who is overweight and they are fine".
I think that does a great disservice to those who can control their symptoms by losing the weight. We need to provide a clear and hopeful message to those people.
Rant over!!
Andy