Are You At Risk for Diabetes?

Diabetes Risk Factors

• Family history. If a first degree relative (parent or sibling) has diabetes, the chance of you developing type 2 diabetes increases.
• Age over 45. The risk of type 2 diabetes increases with age.
• Race or ethnic background. The chance of getting type 2 diabetes is greater in those of Asian, African, Hispanic, and Native American descent.
• Being overweight. If you are overweight, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or more, you have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
• Hypertension. High blood pressure (defined as 140/90 mmHg or higher) increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
• Abnormal cholesterol and blood fats. HDL ("good") cholesterol levels lower than 35 mg/dL and/or a triglyceride level higher than 250 mg/dL increases the chance of getting type 2 diabetes.
• Metabolic syndrome (also called insulin resistance syndrome). Metabolic syndrome is the name for a group of risk factors that often occur together, including a large waistline, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, low HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and high blood sugar. These risk factors are linked to being overweight and increase your chance for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
• History of gestational diabetes. Having gestational diabetes during pregnancy or delivering a baby over nine pounds increases your chance of getting type 2 diabetes.