What Is Prediabetes and Could You Have It?

Discussion Topics What is prediabetes? What is the Prediabetes Screening Test? How can you delay or prevent Type 2 diabetes? What is the National Diabetes Prevention Program?

Prediabetes What Is Prediabetes? Blood sugar (glucose) levels higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. One in three US adults have prediabetes. Nearly 90% of adults with prediabetes don’t know they have it. *

Prediabetes Why is it important to know if you have prediabetes and to take action to treat it? Don’t let the “pre” in prediabetes fool you into thinking it is not really a problem now. Prediabetes can lead to heart disease and stroke. People with prediabetes are at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney failure, and loss of toes, feet, or legs.

Prediabetes Screening Test Find out if you are at risk so you can take action now. Take the CDC Prediabetes Screening Test and know your score. Answer “Yes” or “No” to seven simple questions. Add the number of points listed on the test.

Prediabetes Screening Test 1.Are you a woman who has had a baby weighing more than 9 pounds at birth? Yes:1 pointNo: 0 points

Prediabetes Screening Test 2.Do you have a sister or brother with diabetes? Yes:1 pointNo: 0 points 3.Do you have a parent with diabetes? Yes:1 pointNo: 0 points

4.Find your weight on the chart. Do you weigh as much or more than the weight listed for your height? Yes: 5 pointsNo: 0 points Prediabetes Screening Test

HeightWeight/PoundsHeightWeight/Pounds 4’10”1295’7”172 4’11”1335’8”177 5’0”1385’9”182 5’1”1435’10”188 5’2”1475’11”193 5’3”1526’0”199 5’4”1576’1”204 5’5”1626’2”210 5’6”1676’3”216

Prediabetes Screening Test 5.Are you younger than 65 years and get little or no physical activity or exercise in a typical day? Yes: 5 pointsNo: 0 points

Prediabetes Screening Test 6.Are you between 45 and 64 years of age? Yes: 5 pointsNo: 0 points 7.Are you 65 years of age or older? Yes:9 pointsNo: 0 points Total your score.

Prediabetes Screening Test If your score is 0 to 8 points Your risk is probably low for having prediabetes now. Keep your risk low by: Lose weight (if overweight). Become physically active. Eat healthy. Do not use tobacco. Consult your doctor about high blood pressure or cholesterol.

Prediabetes Screening Test If your score is 9 or more points Your risk is high for having prediabetes now. Make an appointment with your health care provider soon.

Preventing Diabetes Prevention of type 2 diabetes is proven, possible, and powerful. People who lose 5%-7% of their body weight and who do 150 minutes of physical activity a week reduce their risk for diabetes by more than 50%. A structured lifestyle change program can help you accomplish this.

Preventing Diabetes Even modest weight loss makes an impact. How much is a 5% to 7% weight loss? If You WeighLosing 5 to 7% is 150 pounds8 to 11 pounds 175 pounds9 to 12 pounds 200 pounds10 to 14 pounds 225 pounds11 to 16 pounds 250 pounds13 to 18 pounds 300 pounds15 to 21 pounds

Preventing Diabetes A CDC-Recognized Lifestyle Change Program Helps you eat healthier, reduce stress, and get more physically active. May cut the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by as much as 58%. May cut the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in people older than 60 years by as much as 70%. Can be done in-person or online.

Preventing Diabetes What’s in a CDC-recognized lifestyle change program? You will learn, laugh, share stories, try new things, and build new habits—all while lowering your risk of type 2 diabetes and improving your health. Key components of the program include CDC-approved curriculum with lessons, handouts, and other resources to help you make healthy changes. A lifestyle coach, specially trained to lead the program, to help you learn new skills, encourage you to set and meet goals, and keep you motivated. The coach will also facilitate discussions and help make the program fun and engaging. A support group of people with similar goals and challenges.

Preventing Diabetes During the first half of a CDC lifestyle change program, you will learn to Eat healthy without giving up all the foods you love. Add physical activity to your life, even if you think you don’t have time. Deal with stress. Cope with challenges that can derail your important efforts such as how to choose healthy food when eating out. Get back on track if you stray from your plan—because everyone slips now and then.

Preventing Diabetes In the second half of the program You will enhance the skills you have learned so you can maintain the changes you have made. These sessions will review key ideas such as how to track your food and physical activity, set goals, stay motivated, and overcome barriers. You may learn some new information, too. The lifestyle coach and small group will continue to support you.

Preventing Diabetes If you have prediabetes, find a CDC-Recognized National Diabetes Prevention Program in your community or online. A lifestyle change program recognized by the CDC can help you adopt the healthy habits needed to prevent type 2 diabetes. Find a listing of programs with contact information at

For more information, call CDC-INFO ( ) TTY or visit Go to To order resources, visit