Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions throughout the world. Increasing evidence suggests that complex interactions between genes and the environment might play a major role in the pathogenesis of this mutlifactoriel disease and its complications, and this might be a result of the involvement of epigenetic factors. Recent studies show that epigenetic factors, including DNA methylation and histone modification, may affect the susceptibility for type 2 diabetes and the progression of theirs complications. However, molecular mechanisms linking environmental factors and type 2 diabetes still remains limited.