Am I At Risk Of Getting Diabetes?

Do you have a family history of diabetes (parent, brother, or sister with diabetes)?

Do you have prediabetes (your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes)?

Are you overweight (your BMI is 25–29.9) or obese (BMI higher that 30)?

Do you have a sedentary lifestyle or are you physically active less than 3 times a week?

Are you Afro-American, Hispanic, American Indian, Alaska Native or Asian American?

Do you have high blood pressure (over 140/90 mmHg)?

Do you have low levels of (HDL), or "good," cholesterol?

Do you have increased level of triglycerides?

Do you have a diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?

If you are a woman who has given birth, have you ever had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) or have you given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 kilograms?

If you are a woman, do you have polycystic ovary syndrome?

Based on your answers you have a low risk of getting diabetes. Diabetes is a medical condition that affects how your body uses blood sugar (glucose). The cells in your body use sugar as their main source of energy. The food you eat is broken down into sugar that is released into the bloodstream. When blood sugar levels rise, the pancreas releases a hormone called insulin, which helps transport blood sugar (glucose) to the cells. If the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin or the insulin cannot be used properly, there is an increase in blood sugar levels. Diabetes can lead to serious health problems.

Based on your answers you have a moderate risk of getting diabetes. Diabetes is a long-term medical condition characterized by high blood sugar levels. Diabetes occurs when your body does not produce enough insulin (a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels) or your body cannot use insulin effectively. There are several types of diabetes, and the most common type, called type 2 diabetes, is mainly the result of excess body weight and physical inactivity. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, blindness, and lower limb amputation in many countries. A healthy diet and regular exercise are good ways to reduce your risk of diabetes.

Based on your answers you have a high risk of getting diabetes. Diabetes is a lifelong condition that occurs when your blood sugar levels are too high. Over time, diabetes can seriously damage your blood vessels, vision, heart and kidneys. More than 34 million people in the United States have diabetes, with about 95 percent of them having type 2 diabetes. Simple lifestyle changes have been shown to be effective in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes. You should achieve and maintain a healthy weight, be physically active for at least 30 minutes a day, eat healthily, and avoid tobacco use.