Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes, is a chronic condition that affects how your body processes glucose, also known as blood sugar.

This condition can cause serious health problems such as heart disease, nerve damage, kidney damage, and blindness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 30 million Americans have diabetes, and about 90% of them have type 2 diabetes.

The good news is that type 2 diabetes is preventable and manageable through lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight.

However, before you can take action to prevent or manage diabetes, you need to know if you are at risk for it. This test will help you determine your risk for type 2 diabetes.

What Are the Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes?

Several factors can increase your risk for type 2 diabetes:.

• Being overweight or obese
• Having a family history of diabetes
• Being physically inactive
• Having high blood pressure or high cholesterol
• Having a history of gestational diabetes or giving birth to a baby who weighed more than nine pounds
• Belonging to certain ethnic groups such as African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Asian Americans
• Being over the age of 45

If you have any of these risk factors, you should be aware of the signs and symptoms of diabetes and get your blood sugar level checked regularly by a healthcare provider.

Test Your Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

Answer the following questions honestly to determine your risk for type 2 diabetes. For each ‘yes’ answer, give yourself one point. Add up your total score at the end of the test.

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1. Are you over the age of 45?
2. Do you have a parent, brother, or sister with diabetes?
3. Are you overweight or obese (with a body mass index of 25 or higher)?
4. Do you lead a sedentary lifestyle (less than 30 minutes of physical activity per day)?
5. Have you been diagnosed with high blood pressure?
6. Have you been diagnosed with high cholesterol?
7. Have you been diagnosed with gestational diabetes or given birth to a baby who weighed more than nine pounds?
8. Do you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
9. Do you belong to an ethnic group with a higher risk of diabetes (such as African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, or Asian Americans)?
10. Do you have a history of cardiovascular disease?

Add up your ‘yes’ answers and compare your score with the following:.

• 0-1 points: Low risk
• 2-5 points: Moderate risk
• 6 or more points: High risk

If you are at moderate or high risk for type 2 diabetes, talk to your healthcare provider about ways to prevent or manage the condition.

Tips for Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

If you are at risk for type 2 diabetes, there are steps you can take to prevent or delay the onset of the condition:.

• Lose weight if you are overweight or obese. Even losing 5-7% of your body weight can make a significant difference.
• Eat a healthy diet that is low in saturated and trans fats, and high in fiber.
• Get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, such as brisk walking or cycling.
• Quit smoking if you are a smoker.
• Limit your alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
• Get enough sleep every night.
• Manage stress through relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.

If you have already been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, the same lifestyle changes can help you manage the condition and prevent complications.

Conclusion

Type 2 diabetes is a serious health condition that affects millions of Americans. However, it is preventable and manageable through lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight.

If you are at risk for type 2 diabetes, take the test provided in this article to determine your risk level, and talk to your healthcare provider about ways to prevent or manage the condition.