What Is Prediabetes and What Are Its Risk Factors?
Prediabetes is a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as Type 2 diabetes. It is a critical warning sign that the body is beginning to lose its ability to regulate blood sugar effectively. Risk factors for prediabetes include being overweight or obese, particularly with excess fat around the abdomen. A sedentary lifestyle with little to no physical activity also increases the risk. Other risk factors include being over the age of 45, having a family history of diabetes, and having a history of gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
Additional risk factors for prediabetes include high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, and a history of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Ethnicity can also play a role, with African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Asian Americans being at higher risk. Early detection and lifestyle changes, such as adopting a healthy diet, increasing physical activity, and losing excess weight, can significantly reduce the risk of progressing from prediabetes to Type 2 diabetes and improve overall health outcomes.
