The Facts on Diabetes
The following factors increase your risk of getting diabetes:
- Being overweight
- Being more than 45 years old
- Having a parent, brother or sister with diabetes
- Being of African American, American Indian, Asian American, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic American/Latino descent
- For women, a history of gestational diabetes, or giving birth to a baby that weighs more than nine pounds
- High blood pressure (over 140/90)
- HDL (good) cholesterol levels below 35
- Triglyceride levels of 250 or higher
- Being sedentary (exercising less than three times per week)
You can’t control your age or family history, but you can control the other factors that lead to diabetes. Maintaining a healthy body weight, making smart food choices, and increasing your physical activity will greatly reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms of diabetes include:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Extreme hunger
- Unusual weight loss
- Increased fatigue
- Irritability
- Blurry vision
(Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders)
—Diane Boudreau
