Prediabetes Facts
What is Prediabetes?
Prediabetes is when blood glucose (sugar) levels in your blood are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes.
Insulin helps your body to change sugars and starches into energy. Your blood glucose levels increase when your body isn't making enough insulin or insulin isn't working as effectively as it has in the past.
Approximately 1 in 3 adults in North Carolina has prediabetes. There are no symptoms of prediabetes. Many people find out they have prediabetes when they go to a health care professional and have their blood glucose tested.
Risk factors for prediabetes include:
- being age 45 years or older
- being overweight
- having a family history of type 2 diabetes
- having high blood pressure
- leading a sedentary lifestyle
- having had gestational diabetes or given birth to a baby over 9 pounds
If you have prediabetes this does not mean that you will develop type 2 diabetes. YOU can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes by losing weight, becoming more physically active, and reducing stress.
Prediabetes can be reversed with lifestyle changes including healthy eating and physical activity.
15% – 30% of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years if there is no intervention.
1 out of 3 adults has prediabetes.
166 adult North Carolinians develop diabetes each day according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).