According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 96 million adults – 1 in 3 American adults -have prediabetes. Furthermore, more than 8 in 10 people with prediabetes are unaware that they have it. Do you think this could be you? Find out what you can do to stay healthy by reading on.

What is Prediabetes?

Prediabetes is an abnormal condition that occurs when blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not quite high enough to be classified as diabetes. In the past, people with prediabetes were told they would need to take medication to help reduce their glucose levels to avoid diabetes. The good news is that it’s possible to reverse prediabetes. You can prevent or delay the development of full-blown type 2 diabetes by changing your lifestyle in a simple, proven way.

Risk Factors

Prediabetes is often called “diabetes in waiting” because it’s a precursor to type 2 diabetes. People with prediabetes may have no symptoms, or they may experience a few signs and symptoms.

Some people who have prediabetes may also have other health conditions that make them more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if they don’t treat their condition. Some of these conditions include:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High cholesterol
• Elevated triglycerides (another type of fat found in the blood)
• Elevated glucose (blood sugar) levels after eating

Your doctor can help you get your blood sugar tested if you have any of the risk factors for prediabetes, including:

• Obesity
• Age 45 and older
• Family histories of type 2 diabetes, such as a parent, brother, or sister
• Not being physically active at least three times a week
• Giving birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds or having gestational diabetes (pregnancy-related diabetes)
• Being diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome

A higher risk is associated with race and ethnicity:

• African Americans
• Hispanic/Latino Americans
• American Indians
• Pacific Islanders
• some Asian Americans.

Type 2 Diabetes Prevention

CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program offers an evidence-based lifestyle change program to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. You can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by as much as 58% (71% if you’re over 60).

Among the highlights are:

• Changing your lifestyle with the assistance of a trained coach.
• Make healthier choices and increase your physical activity.
• Learning how to stay motivated, manage stress, and solve problems that slow you down.
• Find people who share the same goals and challenges as you.

If you have any of the risk factors discussed above, it is highly recommended that you schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss your options. However, no matter the test result, maintaining a healthy lifestyle will always be the most effective way to prevent diabetes and many of its complications.