Prediabetes and Prevention

Back To Diabetes

What is Prediabetes?

Prediabetes is where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.

Prediabetes puts you at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Risk Factors

You’re at risk for type 2 diabetes if you:

  • Are overweight
  • Are 45 years or older
  • Have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes
  • Are physically active less than 3 times a week
  • Have had gestational diabetes or given birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds
  • Are an African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, or Alaska Native person. Some Pacific Islander and Asian American people are also at higher risk.

Learn more about diabetes risk factors.

Signs & Symptoms

You can have prediabetes for years without noticeable symptoms. It often goes undetected until serious health problems such as type 2 diabetes show up.

Talk to your provider about getting your blood sugar tested if you have any of the risk factors for prediabetes.

Testing 

You can get a simple blood sugar test to find out if you have prediabetes. Ask your provider if you should be tested.

Learn more about testing for diabetes.

Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

If you have prediabetes, you can lower your risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

Lower your risk by:

  • Losing a small amount of weight if you’re overweight - around 5% to 7% of your body weight
  • Getting regular physical activity - at least 150 minutes a week of brisk walking or a similar activity.

Get support in making those changes through the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program.

Learn more about preventing type 2 diabetes.

Sources: CDC, American Diabetes Association