BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — A new report shows obesity is responsible for as much as half of new Type 2 Diabetes cases in the U.S.

Researchers reviewed medical information for 2001 to 2016, and they found obese patients were three times more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes than people at a normal weight.

The National Diabetes Prevention Program says an at-risk person who loses between 5% to 7% of their body weight can lower their risk of Type 2 Diabetes by 58%

The study also found an increase in the number of people under the age of 65 who are dying from Type 2 Diabetes.