Type 2 Diabetes Awareness

Are you at risk for type 2 diabetes? 

Maybe you already know you have diabetes, or maybe you already know that you surely don’t. But, maybe you, like many others, answer this question with an “I don’t know.”

In the United States, 37.3 million (11.3%) people of all ages have diabetes, and 23% of adults, are either unaware they have it or did not report.

In addition to that, 38% of adults have prediabetes, meaning they are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Of these, more than 80% don’t know they have prediabetes.

Determine your risk.

There are eight main risk factors that determine someone’s risk for type 2 diabetes.

1. Age – The older you are (generally older than 45 years) the high your risk for type 2.
2. Gender – Men are more likely to go undiagnosed, as they are less likely to see their doctor regularly.
3. Gestational Diabetes – If you had this, you may be at increased risk.
4. Family History  – Having an immediate family member with type 2 diabetes could contribute to your risk for it.
5. High Blood Pressure – Being diagnosed with high blood pressure contributes to your overall risk.
6. Physically inactive – Being sedentary can increase your risk.
7. Race – If you are of a certain racial or ethnic group, you may be more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than others.
8. BMI (BMI or Body Max Index is a ratio of height to weight)– People with high BMI are at a higher risk for developing it.

How many of these apply to you? The more that apply, the greater your risk. For an actual rating of your risk, take the American Diabetes Association’s 60-second Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test today.

Take steps to prevent diabetes.

If you, like many other adults, answered “I don’t know” to the question at the beginning and some of these risk factors apply to you, seeing your doctor is the critical next step in determining if you have prediabetes or diabetes. This one step can help prevent the onset, or worsening, of diabetes and avoid the complications and costs that come with it.

If you find yourself with diabetes or at an increased risk for it, there are steps you can take to prevent the onset or in some cases, reverse it. Being physically active, following a healthy eating plan, and losing extra weight are three steps you can take to reduce your risk.

Diabetes awareness and knowledge of risks are key in taking the first steps towards prevention.