Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

Take the diabetes risk test to discover if you are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Those at a greater risk for getting type 2 fit in the following categories:

  • People with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and/or impaired fasting glucose (IFG);
  • People over age 45;
  • People with a family history of diabetes;
  • People who are overweight or do not exercise regularly;
  • People with low HDL cholesterol or high triglycerides, high blood pressure;
  • Certain racial and ethnic groups (exp., Non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanic/Latino Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and American Indians and Alaska Natives);
  • Women who had gestational diabetes or who have had a baby weighing 9-lbs. or more at birth

To prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes, the American Diabetes Association recommends sticking to a well-balanced diet, increasing physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight. For more information, click here.