About 75 million Americans have type 2 diabetes or are on their way to developing it. People with prediabetes are at increased risk of developing the disease within a decade unless they take action.
“Prediabetes is a warning sign to change your lifestyle,” said Leo Smith, MD, a family medicine physician with St. Joseph Health Medical Group in Santa Rosa. “People with diabetes are at increased risk of serious health problems – they are twice as likely to develop heart disease, for example – so it’s important to do what you can to prevent it.”
Dr. Smith offers these suggestions for keeping diabetes at bay:
- Lose weight. People at risk of diabetes can lower their disease risk by losing 10 to 15 pounds.
- Exercise. Start moving. Aim to get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, such as walking briskly, every day.
- Adjust your diet. Control portion size and cut down on saturated fats. Eat more vegetables, fruits, fish, chicken and lean cuts of meat.
- See your doctor. If you have prediabetes, your doctor will want to check for signs of heart disease and blood vessel problems. Your doctor may also give you a medicine to help prevent or delay the disease.
Risk Factors
Your chances of developing diabetes go up if you:
- are 45 or older
- have high blood pressure – 140/90 or higher
- are African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander
- have a parent or sibling with diabetes
- are overweight or obese
- are physically inactive
- have low HDL cholesterol and/or high triglycerides
- are a woman who had diabetes during pregnancy
