Prediabetes
What is Prediabetes?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 out of 3 people have prediabetes and 90% of those people are not aware they have it. A person with prediabetes has a blood glucose level higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. This increases the risk for developing type 2 diabetes and other serious health problems, including heart disease, and stroke. Without lifestyle changes to improve their health, 15% to 30% of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within five years.
Find out if you are at risk...
Take the CDC prediabetes test to see if you are at risk.
How do you prevent it?
Make healthy food choices, increase physical activity, and learn coping skills to maintain weight loss and healthy lifestyle changes. Read more.
You can also visit diabetesfreenc.com to learn about prediabetes, determine your risk, and find diabetes prevention programs in your county or area.
What do you do if you have it?
- If you do have prediabetes, research shows that doing just two things can help you prevent or delay type 2 diabetes: Lose 5% to 7% of your body weight, which would be 10 to 14 pounds for a 200-pound person; and get at least 150 minutes each week of physical activity, such as brisk walking. Read more.
- Lifestyle change programs offered through the National Diabetes Prevention Program, which is led by the CDC, can help you reach these goals. Trained lifestyle coaches lead classes to help participants improve their food choices, increase physical activity, and learn coping skills to maintain weight loss and healthy lifestyle changes. Read more.
Health Plan Resources
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