Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Practice Exam

What physiological change in aging is NOT commonly associated with an increased risk for diabetes and complications?

1. Reduced metabolic rate can alter digestion

2. Increased insulin resistance and decreased insulin effectiveness

3. Altered pain perception

4. Decreased renal function

The correct answer is: Increased insulin resistance and decreased insulin effectiveness

In assessing the physiological changes that occur with aging, it is important to recognize that increased insulin resistance and decreased insulin effectiveness are indeed commonly associated with a heightened risk for diabetes and its complications. This association arises because as individuals age, various factors such as obesity, inactivity, and changes in body composition contribute to this insulin resistance. Additionally, alterations in the function of pancreatic beta cells can lead to a decline in insulin secretion, further exacerbating the challenges in glucose homeostasis. In contrast, altered pain perception is not directly linked to an increased risk for diabetes itself or its related complications. While aging can influence how the body perceives pain, this change does not necessarily correlate with the mechanisms that lead to the development of diabetes or its complications. Thus, altered pain perception does not contribute to the metabolic dysfunctions often seen in aging that predispose individuals to diabetes. Understanding this distinction is crucial in recognizing the multifaceted impact of aging on health and the specific areas that require attention in diabetes care and education.