Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a serious chronic disease that poses a serious public health problem since this pathology has a significant impact on health due to the high risk of occurrence and development of severe complications, which directly affects the socio-economic well-being of the population. The presented article analyzes the most significant links in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus, which makes it possible to determine the risk factors for its occurrence and development. The influence of obesity on disorders of carbohydrate metabolism, as well as other associated metabolic conditions, such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, dyslipidemia, has been emphasized. Anthropometric parameters and various indices are presented, allowing them to be assessed in relation to metabolic changes. The review summarizes the most convincing biochemical markers that have prognostic value in relation to the development of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The article pays special attention to the analysis and evidence base of the existing scales for assessing the risk of developing pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus, including the first domestic calculator based on the DIARISK questionnaire. In addition, the article presents statistical data on the higher incidence of metabolic syndrome in people professionally associated with high psychoemotional load. However, the methods for assessing the risk of pre-diabetes and T2DM do not reflect the contribution of this factor to the development of carbohydrate metabolism disorders.