Am I at risk of getting prediabetes?

Am I at risk of getting prediabetes?

Prediabetes doesn’t happen overnight; it develops over time as risk factors begin to add up. Take a look at the list below and count how many of these prediabetes risk factors apply to you.

Common Risk Factors for Prediabetes

1. Carrying Excess Weight
   Excess body fat, particularly around the abdomen, can make it harder for insulin to do its job. This is one of the strongest risk factors for developing prediabetes. For men, the waist measurement greater than 94 cm (37 inches) indicates increased risk, and greater than 102 cm (40 inches) indicates substantially increased risk. For women, the waist measurement greater than 80 cm (31.5 inches) indicates increased risk, and greater than 88 cm (35 inches) indicates substantially increased risk.

2. Physical Inactivity
   Regular movement helps your muscles use glucose for energy and improves insulin sensitivity. Sitting for long periods and getting little physical activity, less than three times weekly, can increase your risk.

3. Family History
   If a parent or sibling has Type 2 diabetes, your risk of developing prediabetes is higher. Genetics play a role, but lifestyle factors still have a significant impact.

4. Age
   Risk increases with age, particularly after 45 years. However, prediabetes is becoming increasingly common among younger adults and even adolescents.

5. High Blood Pressure or Cholesterol
   These conditions often occur alongside insulin resistance and may indicate a higher risk for prediabetes.

6. Presence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
   Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease impairs the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar effectively. Because the liver plays a central role in glucose storage and release, fat accumulation can increase glucose production and worsen insulin resistance.

7. Gestational diabetes
   Diabetes during pregnancy or given birth to a baby who weighed over 9 pounds.

8. Ethnicity and Cultural Background
   If you are an African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, or Alaska Native, Pacific Islander or Asian American person you may have a higher risk.

9. Poor Sleep and High Stress
   Chronic stress and inadequate sleep can affect hormones that regulate blood sugar, making it more difficult for your body to maintain healthy glucose levels.

So, how many of these risk factors put you at risk?

You do not need to have all of them. Even having just one or two risk factors may increase your likelihood of developing prediabetes, especially if they are related to insulin resistance, such as excess abdominal weight, physical inactivity, or NAFLD. The more risk factors you have, the higher your overall risk. That is why early awareness and screening are important, even if you feel well.

Why Early Detection Matters.

Prediabetes does not only increase your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. It is also associated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and other chronic health conditions.

The earlier you identify a problem, the more opportunities you have to make meaningful changes. Small adjustments made today can significantly improve your health outcomes years from now.

At Sugar Track Consulting, we believe that knowledge is power. Understanding your blood sugar today can help you prevent diabetes tomorrow.