What type of diabetes is also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus?

Type 2 diabetes is referred to as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus because it typically develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin. This form of diabetes is generally associated with lifestyle factors such as obesity, inactivity, and poor diet. Unlike Type 1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune condition leading to the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas and requires insulin for management from the onset, individuals with Type 2 can often manage their condition through lifestyle changes, oral medications, or insulin in more advanced stages. As a result, it is key to distinguish that Type 2 diabetes does not primarily rely on insulin for glycemic control initially, hence the term non-insulin-dependent.