It’s diabetes awareness month and unfortunately this disease is on the rise. More than 30 million people in the United States have diabetes, but one in four of them don’t even know they have it.

Ninety percent of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes, which means their body doesn’t use insulin well and it is unable to keep blood sugar at a normal level. That can lead to a variety of medical complications.

We can lower our risk for developing type 2 diabetes by getting regular check ups, eating a healthy diet  about 30 min a day of physical activity. And if you are overweight, Even losing 5-7 percent of your body weight can make a difference only about 10-14 pounds for a 200 pound person.

Here are some risk factors for type 2 diabetes:

  • 1

    You Are 45 years or older

  • 2

    You Have Prediabetes

    That means your blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.

  • 3

    You Are Overweight.

  • 4

    You Have A Relative With Diabetes

    You have an immediate family member with type 2 diabetes

  • 5

    You Are Sedentary

    You are  physically active less than 3 times a week

  • 6

    You Have Had Gestational Diabetes

    Ever having gestational diabetes or giving birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds is another risk factor.

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