Is diabetes always genetic?

In a way: There are genetic and environmental factors. Genetic factors make you vulnerable to the disease but environmental factors seem to be what trigger the disease to manifest. For type 1 diabetes, some exposure triggers susceptible people's immune system to attack the cells that make insulin. For type 2 diabetes, weight gain in a genetically susceptible person creates resistance to the body's insulin.

No: Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include unhealthy eating habits, obesity, family history of diabetes (genetics) prior history of gestational diabetes, older age. Diabetes can be prevented in spite of having a family history, by consuming very healthy food.