Risks of Type 2 Diabetes

The major risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes is age and overweight. Pre-diabetes means you have a risk of getting diabetes due to eleveated glucose levels. It is possible to preevent diabetes at this point and even return to normal blood glucose levels. With modest weight loss and moderate physical activity, you can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes. If your blood glucose is higher than normal but lower than the diabetes range (pre-diabetes), have your blood glucose checked in 1 to 2 years.

Risk Factors:

• I am fairly inactive. I exercise fewer than three times a week.
• My blood pressure is 140/90 or higher, or I have been told that I have high blood pressure.
• My cholesterol levels are not normal. My HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol) is 35 or lower, or my triglyceride level is 250 or higher.
• I have a parent, brother, or sister with diabetes.
• My family background is African American, American Indian, Asian American, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic American/Latino.
• I have had gestational diabetes, or I gave birth to at least one baby weighing more than 9 pounds.