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What is Prediabetes? Risk factors and Prevention

We will discuss - What is Prediabetes? Who is at risk, how to prevent Prediabetes?

What is Prediabetes?

Prediabetes - As the name suggests, Prediabetes is a stage prior to full blown onset of Diabetes. It is based on the glucose levels in the blood. When blood glucose, tested by Fasting Plasma Glucose or Oral Glucose Tolerance Test are found to be higher than normal but below Diabetes levels, the condition is called Prediabetes. This term is synonymous with Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT), but now preferred over IGT for easy understanding.

Prediabetes - Facts



According to CDC,

  1. 79 million Americans suffer from Prediabetes
  2. 1 in 2 Elderly people ( age > 65) have Prediabetes
  3. 35% of adults (age>20) have Pre-diabetes
  4. Only 7% of Pre-diabetics are aware about it.
  5. 30-50% of Pre-diabetics develop type 2 Diabetes in 5 yrs
  6. Pre-diabetics are 5-15 times more likely to develop Diabetes

Who is at Risk of Prediabetes ?



  1. Age more than 45 yrs
  2. Overweight
  3. Have a parent with Diabetes
  4. Brother or sibling with Diabetes
  5. Delivered a large baby or had gestational diabetes i.e. diabetes during pregnancy
  6. Have a sedentary lifestyle
  7. Eating junk food, western diet/processed food, food with poor quality fats.
  8. Having an African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander racial or ethnic background.
  9. Chronic smokers or chain smokers are at increased risk of Diabetes.

Simple measures to prevent Prediabetes :-


Prediabetes prevention - Healthy diet, regular exercise, regular glucose / blood sugar testing and de-stress

  • Regular Physical activity and weight loss is said to prevent or delay development of Diabetes in 58%  people.
  • Modest (5-7%) weight loss is effective for prevention.
  • Exercising / Brisk Walking for two and half hours a week (150 min per week) can help prevent its progression.
  • Eating healthier food like fibres (fruits and veg), low amount of fats in diet, grains like Oat etc.
  • De-stress periodically.
  • Quit Smoking, it helps not only in Diabetes but all lifestyle disorders and cancers.
Those with Prediabetes must repeat Blood Glucose testing after 6 months. The measures listed above also help in prevention of other diseases like Hypertension, Heart Diseases, Stroke etc.

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