Risk Factors
Over 19 million Americans have diabetes; up to 95% of these cases are type 2. In addition, 26% of Americans age 20 and older (and 40% of Americans age 65 and older) have impaired fasting glucose, a pre-diabetes condition that increases the risk for diabetes. According to a 2006 study, a total of 73 million Americans either have diabetes or are at risk of developing it.
Historically, type 2 diabetes usually developed after the age of 40, but it is now also increasing in children. Given the current epidemic of obesity, experts are now estimating that over a third of all people born in 2002 will eventually develop diabetes. Furthermore, the dramatic increase in diabetes is occurring worldwide as American lifestyles become global. Evidence strongly suggests that healthy lifestyles can prevent most cases of type 2 diabetes. People with pre-diabetes can substantially lower their risk by losing weight through diet and exercise.
Healthy adults age 45 and older should get tested for diabetes. Patients who are younger than age 45 and who are overweight or have other risk factors should also ask their doctors about testing. According to the National Institutes of Health, the following are major risk factors for diabetes and pre-diabetes:
- Age 45 or older
- Family history of diabetes
- Overweight· Inactive lifestyle (exercise less than 3 times a week)
- African American, Hispanic/Latin American, American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian American, or Pacific Islander ethnicity
- High blood pressure (140/90 mm/Hg or higher)
- HDL (“good”) cholesterol less than 35 mg/dL or triglyceride level 250 mg/dL or higher
- Have had diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes) or have given birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (metabolic disorder that affects female reproductive system
- Acanthosis nigricans (dark, thickened skin around neck or armpits)
- History of disease of blood vessels to the heart, brain, or legs
- Diabetes test history of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)
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