Community Health: November is National Diabetes Month

Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

One in three American adults has prediabetes and more than 80% of them don’t know that they have it. People with prediabetes are at high risk of getting type 2 diabetes.

You may have prediabetes if you:

• Are 45 years of age or older

• Are overweight

• Have a family history of type 2 diabetes

• Are physically active fewer than 3 times per week

• Ever had diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes) or gave birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds

How do I know I have prediabetes?

You can talk to your healthcare provider to get a simple blood sugar test. You can also take a simple online Risk Test available on the CDC website.

Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

The good news is that lifestyle changes can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. If you have prediabetes and you are overweight, you can decrease your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by losing only 5% to 7% of your body weight. You also need to get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate physical activity. For example, you can do 30 minutes of brisk walking per day, five days a week.