Are you at risk for diabetes?

There are several risk factors that people with diabetes have in common. Find out if you might be at risk for diabetes.

Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

With all the staggering statistics about the amount of people that have diabetes and the amount of people with diabetes that don’t know it yet, you may be a little concerned that you might have diabetes.

There are several major factors that people with Type 2 diabetes have in common.

1. Family history of diabetes. If your parents of siblings have diabetes, this will increase your chances of having diabetes as well. Keep in mind that you can still have diabetes if no one in your immediate family has it.

2. Overweight. If your Body Mass Index is greater or equal to 25 you are considered obese and you are putting yourself at risk for diabetes.

3. High Blood Pressure. If your pressure is greater than or equal to 140/90, you have high blood pressure and are putting yourself at risk for diabetes. Lowering your blood pressure will also help with many other issues besides diabetes.

4. HDL cholesterol. If your levels are equal or less than 35 mg/dl you are at risk for diabetes.

5. Ethnic Groups. African Americans, Pacific Islanders, American Indians, Asian Amercians and Latin Americans are at greater risk for diabetes.

Testing for diabetes should be done every 3 years after the age of 45. You can do something about risk factors 1 through 4 above by eating nutritiously, exercising regulary and making an effort to lose weight.

For more information on Type 2 diabetes, visit http://www.diabeticadvisory.com