Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Pre-Diabetes: One in Four Americans Have It



It is estimated that one fourth of the US population has pre-diabetes - that's 54 million people. The findings reported in the November 7th, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report states that as many as one in four Americans have this condition and only 4% are aware of it.

Pre-diabetes is defined as having fasting blood sugars between 100-125 mg/dl. Normal blood sugar should be between 60-99 mg/dl after fasting. Pre-diabetes or impaired fasting glucose as it is now more commonly referred to is a precursor condition for diabetes. As many as 50% of those with impaired fasting glucose will become diabetic and 15% will progress to diabetes within five years. Unless drastic measures are taken it is estimated that one in three people born after the year 2000 will be diabetic.

This is a treatable condition, however, and progression to diabetes is not inevitable. Recent studies have shown that 150 minutes of exercise per week (that's only 30 minutes a day 5 days a week) decreases your risk of progression by nearly 70%.

What is your risk for pre-diabetes? Take the following screening test and find out:
Age: Score:
20-27 . . . . . . . . . . . 0
28-35 . . . . . . . . . . . 1
26-44 . . . . . . . . . . . 2
45-64 . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Sex:
Male . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Female . . . . . . . . . . 0

Body Mass Index:
Less than 25 . . . . . 0
25-29.9 . . . . . . . . . .2
30 or greater . . . . . 3

Family History of Diabetes:
No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Yes . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Heart Rate (bpm)
Less than 60 . . . . . . 0
60-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
70-79 . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
80-89 . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
90-99 . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
> 100 . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Hypertension:
No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Yes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Add up the score in each area. If your number is 7 or more, you need to be screened.

Again the key in prevention is exercise. Just a simple 30 minute walk 5 times per week is all it takes.

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