The American Diabetes Association Diabetes Alert Day serves as a reminder that many of us are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Approximately 90-95% of people diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. Diabetes affects 34.2 million or about 10.5% of Americans. So, who exactly is at risk?
Criteria for screening adults for diabetes:
· Age 35 years and older
· Overweight or obese (body mass index of 25 kg/m2 or higher)
· Family members with diabetes
· High-risk ethnicity (African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American, Pacific Islander)
· Cardiovascular disease (heart disease or stroke)
· High blood pressure or taking medication for high blood pressure
· HDL “good” cholesterol below 35 mg/dL or triglycerides above 250 mg/dL
· Women who have been diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome
· Women who were diagnosed with gestational diabetes
· Anyone diagnosed with prediabetes
· People with HIV
· Physical inactivity
· Acanthosis nigricans (thicker and darker patches of skin on the body – often on the neck)
“Are You at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes?” is a simple screening tool you can use to assess your personal risk for diabetes. You are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes if your score is 5 or greater. In that case, your next step would be to make an appointment with your provider to review your risk test results and determine if further testing is needed.
Early detection and treatment of type 2 diabetes can prevent or reduce damage to the body caused by high blood sugar. Examples include heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, vision loss, nerve damage and gum disease. So don't delay… take the risk test today!
Source: Classification and Diagnosis of Diabetes: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes – 2022. Diabetes Care 2022; 45(S1):S17-S38.
Written by Marci Wright, MS, RD/LD, CDCES, Diabetes Educator, UT Health Tyler Diabetes University, 2/18/22.