There are several risk factors for diabetes, and each of these may increase your risk. For example, people of African, Asian, or Latino/Hispanic descent have a higher risk than white people. A lack of physical activity and a poor diet are also major contributors to increased risk. The age of onset of Type 2 diabetes is at an elevated level, and it occurs most often in middle-aged adults. Women with gestational diabetes are at a higher than normal rate for Type 2 diabetes.
Lifestyle Changes can Lower your Diabetes Risk
Almost half of all adults over age 65 have either prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Although many of these people don’t even know they have the disease, there are ways to minimize the risk. Lifestyle changes can lower your diabetes risk, but certain factors can’t be changed. Some risk factors are not modifiable, but can be easily changed. Family history of diabetes is also a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Your health care provider should review your family’s medical history to determine your risk.
Another risk factor is weight. If you weigh more than 25 pounds, you may have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes than a healthy, active person. If you have a BMI of 30 or higher, you’re considered obese. A diet that includes a moderate amount of exercise can help delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. If you’re unsure of your risk, discuss it with your health care provider.
Your Ethnicity Can Increase or Decrease your Risk for Diabetes
If you’re obese, you’re at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes. You can reduce your risk by eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. Your ethnicity can increase or decrease your risk for diabetes. For instance, Latino/Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, and African Americans have higher risk than Caucasians. Hispanics, however, have the highest rates of new cases of type 2 diabetes. Having a family history of the disease should also be discussed with your physician.
A higher perceived risk is a prerequisite for precautionary behavior. The other components of precautionary behavior are increased awareness and enhanced control beliefs. According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an increased perception of the risk of diabetes can induce a behavioral change. For instance, a larger number of adults believe that they are in control of their diabetes risks than they actually do. These results highlight that it’s not easy to prevent diabetes, but it’s important to be aware of it.
Several Factors that can Increase your Risk of Diabetes
There are several factors that can increase your risk of diabetes. For example, a high glycemic index is a risk factor for diabetes, as well as a high dietary fat. In addition to limiting your daily intake of red meat, you can substitute it with nuts, low-fat dairy, and poultry. This way, you’ll reduce the chances of getting the disease. You should also limit your intake of processed red meat and increase your intake of whole grains.
While a high perceived risk is the main driver of prevention, studies have found that other factors play a major role as well. A high perception of diabetes risk increases the likelihood of taking preventative action. In fact, half of the population over 65 years old has prediabetes and over a third of people over 65 have diabetes. Increasing awareness and enhanced control beliefs are both key factors in prevention. If you’ve got a family history of diabetes, it’s especially important to discuss this with your doctor.
You can Reduce your Risk by Following a Healthy Lifestyle and Reducing your Risk
A healthy lifestyle is the best way to reduce your risk of diabetes. You should watch what you eat and exercise regularly. Your ethnicity is an important factor in your risk for diabetes. Those of African descent, Hispanics, and Pacific Islanders are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than Caucasians. Those of European origin are at a higher-risk than Caucasians, and the rates of new cases are higher among Hispanics.
The majority of adults should get seven to nine hours of sleep per night. This not only benefits the brain, but also the heart. In addition to exercising, sleep improves your mood and improves your memory. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that overweight patients undergo screenings for diabetes at age 35. In this way, you can reduce your risk by following a healthy lifestyle and reducing your risk. You can also reduce the risk of diabetes by taking steps to control your diet and exercise.
