If you've gone to the physician lately, he or she may have told you that you're at risk of diabetes. If your physician is thorough, they came to this conclusion by examining your family history, performing a complete physical, and evaluating any other risk factors. The medical basis for using this information to make a diabetes prediction comes from studies preformed by health institutions, like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or National Institutes of Health (NIH). Your diabetes prediction is a tool to help you understand your risks, and one whose results you should discuss with your physician at length.

Diabetes Prediction: Family History

While the causes of diabetes are not entirely genetic, it is possible to be pre-disposed to the condition. In order to make a diabetes prediction, your physician will examine two primary aspects of your family history: race and your immediate family's medical status.

• Immediate Family History: If your parents or siblings have diabetes, there is evidence to suggest that you may be at risk too. According to the American Diabetes Association, studies of twins have shown that if one twin has type 1 diabetes, the other can have a risk as high as 1 in 2 of developing the condition. If one twin has type 2 diabetes, the risk goes up to 3 in 4. This demonstrates that while genetics do not fully determine who develops diabetes, it plays an important enough role to be taken into account.

• Race: For reasons that range from genetics to health care access, race seems to play a role in who develops diabetes. The CDC tells us that African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islander Americans are all at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, and American Indians are also at an increased risk of experiencing gestational diabetes,or diabetes that develops during pregnancy. If you belong to any of these races, your physician will want to pay close attention to signs of diabetes.

Diabetes Prediction: Current Physical Health

While race and family history can help a physician determine if you're at risk of diabetes, the most influential diabetes prediction information comes from your physical exam. Your physician will take all of the following information, and more, into account:

• Obesity: The link between obesity that type 2 diabetes has been demonstrated repeatedly. According to the Mayo Clinic, increased fatty tissue makes it harder for your cells and body to use insulin, which can in turn lead to diabetes.


• Abdominal Fat: If you carry your fat around your abdomen, as opposed to your thighs or hips, you have a greater risk of diabetes.


• High Blood Pressure: If you have high blood pressure that measures 140/90 or more, you're more at risk of experiencing diabetes.

• Abnormal Cholesterol: If your triglyceride level is 250 or higher, or HDL is 35 or lower, your diabetes prediction rate will go up.

Diabetes Prediction: Other Factors

Along with your family history and physical health, your physician will also take these factors into account when making a diabetes prediction:

• Activity Level: If you lead an inactive, sedentary lifestyle, your diabetes prediction rate will increase. However, if you engage in moderate exercise for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, that can be enough to help you avoid diabetes.

• Age: Although juvenile diabetes is growing, one-third of diagnosed diabetes cases still occur in adults over the age of 65. The CDC advises that anyone over 45 should be tested for diabetes.

• Pregnancy: If you are pregnant and have diabetes risk factors, or if you are experiencing high blood sugar for the first time, your risk of experiencing gestational diabetes goes up. Because gestational diabetes can harm both mother and child if left untreated, your doctor will likely want to monitor you closely.

If you do experience gestational diabetes, the condition will likely cease after delivery. However, it will still increase your chances of having type 2 diabetes later in life.

Diabetes Prediction: The Big Picture

Diabetes prediction is an important tool, because it lets you know how at risk you are of developing the condition. This can provide a valuable opportunity to change your lifestyle and develop healthy habits. After all, even people with a high risk of developing diabetes can delay or prevent the condition if they commit themselves to improving their health.

If your physician tells you that you're likely to develop diabetes, don't get discourage by his or her diabetes prediction. Instead, talk to them about what you can do to take control of your medical future and avoid this illness.