Type 2 diabetes and obesity are life threatening metabolic diseases reaching epidemic proportions. The molecular basis for these diseases is incompletely understood, but genetic and environmental variables, synergistically interact throughout our lifespan to modulate metabolism. Today, there is growing appreciation that aging-related alterations in metabolism can be attenuated by lifestyle intervention strategies. Thus, insight into specific genetic, epigenetic, and cellular mechanisms that modulate metabolism throughout the aging continuum may uncover novel therapeutic entry points to manage type 2 diabetes and prevent obesity.