November is National Diabetes Awareness Month and a great opportunity to discuss the risk factors of the disease. Diabetes affects 26 million Americans with an estimated 79 million American adults aged 20 years or older having prediabetes, which puts them at high risk for developing the disease. With these numbers, you can see the importance of knowing the risk factors!
Type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 90 -95% of all diagnosed cases. The risk factors include:
- Family history of type 2 diabetes
- Being overweight
- Aged 45 or older
- Being physically active less than 3X/week
- Having given birth to a baby that weighed over 9 pounds
- Had gestational diabetes
So now that you know the risk factors, what can you do about it? With type 2 diabetes being associated with obesity, physical activity and a healthy diet are important. The Center for Disease Control has created the National Diabetes Prevention Program which is an evidence based lifestyle change program for preventing type 2 diabetes. Participating in the program can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in half!
