Prediabetes

Are you at risk of prediabetes?

According the Center for Disease Control: 98 million US citizens have prediabetes and most don’t know it!

That’s 1 out of 3 US citizens aged 20 years or older!  Prediabetes is a condition in which individuals have blood glucose or A1c levels higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. People with prediabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Take the test to find out if you are at risk for prediabetes or diabetes!  The test is a screening tool and not intended to diagnose a medical condition.  Only a physician can diagnose you with prediabetes or diabetes.  You may use this test to learn more about your risk of developing prediabetes or diabetes.

Answer “True” or “False” to each statement.                                                        

  1. My father, mother, brother, or sister has type 2 diabetes.
  2. I am over 45 years old.
  3. My race is African-American, Hispanic, American Indian, Asian-American, or Pacific Islander.
  4. My body mass index (BMI) is 25 or more. Check BMI here: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm
  5. I do not participate in regular exercise.
  6. I have sleep apnea or I do not get 5½ hours or more of sleep per night.
  7. I have high blood pressure.
  8. I have low HDL (good) cholesterol.
  9. I have high triglyceride levels.
  10. I am male and my waist circumference is 40 inches or more.
  11. I am female and my waist circumference is 35 inches or more.
  12. I had gestational diabetes.
  13. I gave birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds.
  14. I have polycystic ovary syndrome.

The more “Trues”, the greater your risk of prediabetes or diabetes.

Research shows most people with prediabetes will develop diabetes within 10 years.

In the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), a major research study, dietitians provided lifestyle coaching to people with prediabetes.  The results showed lifestyle changes sharply reduced the chances that a person with prediabetes would develop diabetes (a whopping 58% risk reduction).  A diabetes medication, metformin, also reduced risk, although less dramatically (about 33% reduction in risk).

Take action now to prevent prediabetes or diabetes!

Talk with your doctor about the results of your screening test.  Make an appointment with a registered dietitian nutritionist who has experience in lifestyle coaching, weight management, prediabetes, and diabetes management.  (That would be me!  Call Carol Fenwick MHS, RDN, LD at 843-670-1997 or email carolfenwickrd@gmail.com now!)