More than 6 million of the 20 million people who have diabetes in the United States, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), don’t yet know it because they haven’t had their blood glucose levels checked. Another 54 million Americans are estimated to have pre-diabetes—blood glucose levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough to be called diabetes.
If you have diabetes, your close family members are at higher risk of getting diabetes. With nearly one-fifth of Americans over 60 having diabetes, you likely have friends with diabetes. According to the ADA, people who have certain risk factors for diabetes should have their blood glucose levels checked, also called “being screened” for diabetes. Learn the risk factors for diabetes that can be changed and those that cannot. Also find out which of your loved ones should be screened for diabetes or pre-diabetes.
SHOULD YOUR LOVED ONES BE SCREENED FOR DIABETES?
The ADA recommends screening to detect diabetes and pre-diabetes in individuals who are over the age of 45, particularly those individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 25. The ADA also recommends that screening be considered for those who are younger than 45 years of age and are overweight if they also have another risk factor, such as a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) with diabetes, a member of a high-risk ethnic group or a history of gestational diabetes or having delivered a baby greater than nine pounds.
Have your family members talk with their health care providers to discuss if they should be screened for diabetes.
RISK FACTORS FOR DIABETES YOU CANNOT CHANGE
- Family history of diabetes. If a parent or sibling has diabetes, a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes is higher than if a more distant relative (aunt, uncle, grandparent) has diabetes.
- Race. Certain ethnic groups, including American Indians, Hispanics and African-Americans, are at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Many of these ethnic groups not only have genes that may be linked to type 2 diabetes, but they have also undergone more rapid changes in their lifestyles over the past 100 years. American Indians are twice as likely to develop diabetes than the general public. African-Americans are between 1.5 to two times more likely to have diabetes than Caucasians, and Hispanic-Americans, particularly Mexican-Americans, also are at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
- Having had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy). Diabetes during pregnancy occurs in about 3% of all pregnancies. It usually disappears after pregnancy. However, women who have had gestational diabetes are at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
- Age. The risk of developing diabetes increases as you age. When you are over the age of 45, the risk of diabetes increases every year.
RISK FACTORS FOR DIABETES YOU CAN CHANGE
- Being overweight is the most important risk factor that you can do something about. While weight loss can be difficult, it is possible. The good news is that small amounts of weight loss, just 10 to 20 pounds, can make a big difference. Someone is considered obese if he or she weighs more than 20% over their ideal body weight. One easy way to determine what a healthy weight for you may be is to calculate your BMI. A BMI over 30 indicates severe obesity and puts you at much higher risk for developing diabetes. The risk for diabetes depends not only on your total weight, but how you carry your weight. Researchers have found that having more fat within your abdomen (middle section) is a more significant risk factor than carrying fat in your thighs. The so-called apple-shaped person is at higher risk for developing diabetes and heart disease than the pear-shaped person.
- Physical inactivity is an additional risk factor that can be changed. Increasing physical activity helps to prevent diabetes by helping with weight loss and making the body’s insulin work more efficiently. Experts recommend getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity three to five times every week. However, you still need to consult with your health care provider before increasing your physical activity.
- High blood fats, such as triglycerides, not only make you a higher risk for heart disease, but also may be associated with a higher risk of having diabetes. Proper nutrition that keeps fat and cholesterol in balance is important to help lose weight and have lower fats in your blood.
