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None of the information contained in this eBook is intended to diagnose, prevent,

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Your Risk for Type 2 Diabetes 1

Introduction 1

Factors that Increase Your Risk for Type 2 Diabetes 2

Does your BMI indicate that you are overweight? 3

Are you a middle-aged man? 5

Do you have a parent or sibling with diabetes? 5

Are you physically inactive? 6

Do you have high blood pressure? 6

Have you ever had gestational diabetes? 7

Symptoms Indicatingthat You May Already Have Diabetes 8

General Symptoms 8

Skin Issues and Infections 9

Nerve Problems 10

Eye problems 10

Sexual dysfunction 11

Am I Making My Condition Worse? 11

Smoking 12

Diet and Weight Loss 12

Conclusion 13

References 14

1

Your Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

Introduction

Are you worried about being at risk for type 2 diabetes? Maybe you have some of

the symptoms, and this has got you wondering. Or perhaps you're living in denial,

ignoring your symptomsand neglecting the ticking time bomb that may explode

into a more serious health problem.

According to the 2014 National Diabetes Statistics Report, of the 29.1 million

diabetics in the US, 90 to 95% have the type 2 variety. Even more frightening is

the fact that one out of every three Americans has prediabetes without being aware

aware of it.1, 2

This means that close to 100 million Americansremain completely

in the darkabout their higher-than-normal glycemic levels, which threaten to blow

up in their faces and develop into full-blown diabetes.3

An increasingly common disease, diabetes is projected to be the 7th leading cause

of death by 2030.4 This is a startling statistic, especially when you consider how

quickly diabetes can lead to heart disease, eye complications, and kidney disease.4

2

Recognizing the risks and learning about simple lifestyle measures to prevent or

delay the onset of type 2 diabetes is associated with positive outcomes that can

improve your health and wellbeing.5 This is why diabetes prevention programs that

use risk assessment tools to identify high-risk individuals for early intervention are

so important.5, 6

Having understood the importance of an early assessment, we designed the

following questionnaire, to help you gauge your likelihood of developing diabetes.

Though it isn’t formulated to provide you with a risk score or an absolute

diagnosis, it is still a useful means of assessing your risk. But don't forget: your

best course of action is always to consult with your health care provider. Your

doctor can provide you with both a comprehensive diagnosis and answer any

questions you may have about your current health state.

Factors that Increase Your Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

The incidence of type 2 diabetes remains highest among middle-aged or elderly

adults who are overweight. However, with childhood obesity rates soaring at

unprecedented levels, children and adolescents are increasingly being included in

the high-risk category.7 If you find yourselfanswering “yes” to many of the

following questions, it is advised that you consult your doctor as soon as possible

and get yourself checked out for diabetes.8

3

Does your BMI indicate that you are overweight?

Okay, time to break out your tape measure and scale. In order to calculate your

body mass index (BMI), you must first accurately determine your weight and

height. Then follow the instructions below.

BMI formula for pounds and inches: weight/(height)2 X 703

Example weight: 140 lbs

Example height: 5’ 3”

Calculations:

1. Convert your height into inches and square the number

5’ 3” = 63 inches

63 X 63 = 3969

2. Divide your weight (lbs) by your height (inches) squared

140 ÷ 3969 = 0.03527

3. Take this number and multiply by 703 (conversion factor)

0.03527 X 703 = 24.8

BMI formula for kilograms and meters: weight/(height)2

Example weight: 63.5 kg

Example height: 1.6 m

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Calculations:

1. Square the number of your height in meters

1.6 X 1.6 = 2.56

2. Divide your weight (kg) by your height (meters) squared

63.5 ÷ 2.56 = 24.8

A BMI of24.8 is within the normal or healthy range

A healthy or normal BMI falls within the range of 18.5 to 24.9. However, if your

BMI is 25.0 or more, then you are considered overweight and at risk for type 2

diabete333s. If you are a child, athlete, muscle builder, or if you are pregnant, the

healthy BMI range can vary from that above.9 For children and teens, for instance,

BMI is interpreted differently between ages and genders, and the body fat that

children and adolescents carry may disappear as they grow and develop.10

In such

cases, a healthcare professional is required to determine the child/adolescent’s true

risk.

5

Are you a middle-aged man?

The following quote comes from the 20th-century writer C.S. Lewis: "The long,

dull, monotonous years of middle-age prosperity or middle-aged adversity are

excellent campaigning weather for the devil." Although Lewis wasn't mentioning

diabetesexplicitly, we know that if you are a middle-aged man, one of the

campaigning devils you should certainly be aware of is diabetes.

Middle-aged men are more predisposed to a diabetes diagnosis than middle-aged

women. The reason: men, in general, tend to have a higher amount of visceral fat

in their bodies.11, 12

In some studies, it was also observed that middle-aged men

developed diabetes at lower BMIs than women.11

Furthermore, middle-aged men

tend to have higher levels of bad cholesterol in their blood and lower levels of

HDL-cholesterol (good or protective cholesterol) than women - factors that may

play a part in the development of insulin resistance.11

Yet regardless of your gender, it is clear that age increases your risk of developing

type 2 diabetes.13

Therefore, stay vigilant, and speak to your doctor about any

changes in your health.

Do you have a parent or sibling with diabetes?

Are you familiar with the expression “an apple does not fall far from the tree”?

Well unfortunately, this saying is especially relevant when it comes to diabetes.

Studies have shown that children witha family history of diabetes tend to have

greater insulin resistancethan those without a family history of the disease.14

This

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fact is explicable not only from a genetic standpoint, but also because families tend

to share the same eating and exercising habits.

Are you physically inactive?

Couch potatoes beware: a sedentary lifestyle

and physical inactivity contribute to weight

gain, and won’t do your diabetes risk any

good. Research has shown that sitting in front

of the television for long periods of time

correlates with an increased incidence of type

2 diabetes.15

So instead of sitting transfixed in

front of your computer or television, try to engage in some physical activity. This

will benefit your health enormously, providing you with better control over your

blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Even a briskdaily walk for 30

minutes can effectively reduce your risk.16

So put away the remote, put on your

running shoes, and get moving!

Do you have high blood pressure?

High blood pressure is one of those common

conditions that coexist with diabetes. To

illustrate, over 70% of people with diabetes

also suffer from high blood pressure.1, 17

When your blood pressure is high, your heart

is working extra hard to pump blood through

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your blood vessels, adding extra stress to your body. High blood pressure is not

easily observed, and so you may not even be aware that you have it. Therefore, it is

important to get your blood pressure measured frequently by your doctor.17

If you are currently taking medication for high blood pressure, or if your blood

pressure is 140/90 or higher, beware: you are at a greater risk of developing

cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and associated microvascular complications.1

Lowering or controlling your blood pressure with medication, and changing your

diet and lifestyle, can significantly reduce these risks.17

Have you ever had gestational diabetes?

Pregnancy is supposed to be a joyful and exciting time in a woman's life. However,

during pregnancy, you have an increased chance of developing diabetes, due to all

the hormonal changes taking place. These increased blood glucose levels can lead

to serious problems for both the mother and the unborn child if left untreated.

Moreover, the mother has an increased likelihood of giving birth to a larger-than-

average baby with a higher-than-normal birth weight.

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If you’ve had to deal with gestational diabetespreviously, there is a two in three

chance that you will experience it again during subsequent pregnancies.18

More

than often,it goes away after the birth of your child; however, it still places you at

an increased risk of developing diabetes later in life.19

Symptoms Indicatingthat You May Already Have Diabetes

The risk factors predisposing you to diabetes have just been explored in this guide.

However, what if you already have diabetes but were never diagnosed? If this is

the case, you may be unknowingly aggravating the condition and its related

complications. Therefore, if you have never been diagnosed with diabetes by a

physician but are experiencing manyof the symptoms below, you are advised to see

a physician as soon as possible.

General Symptoms

You are urinating more frequently than normal.

You are experiencing excessive thirst .

You feel fatigue and weakness.

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When you stand up abruptly from a lying or sitting position, you feel like you

are about to faint.

You have trouble swallowing your food.

You are experiencing nausea and vomiting on and off.

You are dealing with routine constipation and diarrhea.

You arestruggling with urinary retention.

Skin Issues and Infections

You often find abrasions, cuts, and ulcers on your feet and toes, but you are

unaware of how they happened.

It takes a long time for a wound to heal.

You often get ulcers on your feet, and they are more prone than usual to

infection.

10

You notice acanthosis nigricans (dark purple-black velvety patches) on your

neck, armpit, groin, or near skin folds

Nerve Problems

Your feet are often numb or fall asleep.

You experience numbness in your fingers.

You notice a tingling in your upper and lower extremities, including your

fingers and toes.

Eye Problems

You experience double vision.

You frequently need to change your prescription lenses.

It has become more difficult for you to see your blind spot when you drive.

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You have blurry vision.

Sexual dysfunction

You have erectile dysfunction.

You have experienced retrograde ejaculation (this occurs when semen enters

the bladder instead of being released through the penis during orgasm).

You have decreased vaginal lubrication

If you are experiencing any of the conditions described above, you may have

diabetes and should go and see your physician.

Am I Making My Condition Worse?

Now that you understand the signs of diabetes and the factors increasing your

chances of developing the disease, let’s focus on behaviors that are making the

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condition worse. Some of the habits we are about to discuss are modifiable, and

you may reduce your risk for diabetes – and improve your overall health – if you

decide to make these improvements. Even if you come from a high-risk

background that predisposes you to diabetes, your doctor can make

recommendations that will help you to take control of your health.

Smoking

Smokers are more likely to get type 2

diabetes than non-smokers, and the

heavier the smoker, the more likely they

are to develop the disease.20

Smokers

with diabetes also have a harder time

controlling their insulin dose, as well as

their overall condition, and have a higher

risk for diabetes-related complications.21

Giving up smoking may be an effective

way to reduce your risk for diabetes.

Diet and Weight Loss

A balanced diet is a hallmark of sound health and contributes heavily to the

prevention or control of pre-existing diabetes. If you have a diet low in fruits and

vegetables, or consistently high in meats, fried food, high-fat food and sugar, you

may be jeopardizing your health. Choosing fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains,

13

lean meats such as chicken and fish, and low-fat dairy products can help to

improve your physical wellbeing.

The benefits of smart food choices

combined with exercise include a strong

heart, stable metabolism, and healthier

body weight. A good diet can also

prevent the development of diabetes,

obesity, heart disease and stroke.16, 22

Even losing 10 to 15 pounds can make a

huge impact .16

Conclusion

If you are over the age of 40 and fear that you may be at risk of type 2 diabetes,

don't ignore the facts. Arrange an immediate medical checkup. Don't delay: the

earlier you're diagnosed, the better your chance of getting a leg up on this disease.

Although there is nothing you can do about your age and genetic disposition to

diabetes, don't fret. Risk factors such as abdominal obesity, a sedentary lifestyle,

poor eating habits and smoking can all be addressed. And the sooner you and your

physician develop a concise and viable diabetes strategy, the healthier you'll begin

to feel.

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References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Statistics

Report: Estimates of Diabetes and Its Burden in the United States, 2014 Atlanta,

GA: US Department of Health and Human Services; 2014 [updated May 15,

2015]. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics/2014statistics

report.html.

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Prevention

Program. Prediabetes: Am I at risk? [homepage on the Internet]. 2015 [updated

2015 Mar 10; cited 2015 Sep 17]. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/diabe

tes/prevention/prediabetes.htm.

3. Tabák AG, Herder C, Rathmann W, Brunner EJ, Kivimäki M. Prediabetes: a

high-risk state for diabetes development. The Lancet. 2012;379(9833):2279-90.

4. World Health Organization. Diabetes [homepage on the Internet]. 2015

[updated 2015 Jan; cited 2015 Sep 17]. Available from: http://www.who.int/media

centre/factsheets/fs312/en/.

5. Noble D, Mathur R, Dent T, Meads C, Greenhalgh T. Risk models and

scores for type 2 diabetes: systematic review. Bmj. 2011;343:d7163.

6. Buijsse B, Simmons RK, Griffin SJ, Schulze MB. Risk assessment tools for

identifying individuals at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Epidemiologic

reviews. 2011:mxq019v1.

7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Childhood obesity facts

[homepage on the Internet]. 2015 [updated 2015 Aug 27; cited 2015 Sep 17].

Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/obesity/facts.htm.

8. American Diabetes Association. Type 2 diabetes risk test [homepage on the

Internet]. 2015 [updated 2015 Jul 9; cited 2015 Sep 17]. Available from:

http://www.diabetes.org/are-you-at-risk/diabetes-risk-test/.

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9. Canadian Diabetes Association. Body mass index (BMI) calculator

[homepage on the Internet]. 2015 [cited 2015 Sep 17]. Available from:

http://www.diabetes.ca/diabetes-and-you/healthy-living-resources/weight-manage

ment/body-mass-index-bmi-calculator.

10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About adult BMI [homepage on

the Internet]. 2015 [updated 2015 May 15; cited 2105 Sep 17]. Available from:

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/.

11. Logue J, Walker J, Colhoun H, Leese G, Lindsay R, McKnight J, et al. Do

men develop type 2 diabetes at lower body mass indices than women?

Diabetologia. 2011;54(12):3003-6.

12. Gale EA, Gillespie KM. Diabetes and gender. Diabetologia. 2001;44(1):3-

15.

13. Goodpaster BH, Krishnaswami S, Resnick H, Kelley DE, Haggerty C,

Harris TB, et al. Association between regional adipose tissue distribution and both

type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance in elderly men and women.

Diabetes care. 2003;26(2):372-9.

14. Arslanian SA, Bacha F, Saad R, Gungor N. Family history of type 2 diabetes

is associated with decreased insulin sensitivity and an impaired balance between

insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion in white youth. Diabetes care.

2005;28(1):115-9.

15. Hu FB. Sedentary lifestyle and risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Lipids.

2003;38(2):103-8.

16. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Am I at

risk of type 2 diabetes? Taking steps to lower your risk of getting diabetes 2012

[updated 2012 Jun; cited 2015 Sep 17]. Available from:

http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/Diabetes/type-2-diabete

s-taking-steps-lower-your-risk-diabetes/Pages/index.aspx#7.

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17. American Diabetes Association. High blood pressure [homepage on the

Internet]. 2014 [updated 2014 Sep 24; cited 2015 Sep17]. Available from:

http://www.diabetes.org/are-you-at-risk/lower-your-risk/bloodpressure.html.

18. American Diabetes Association. Gestational diabetes [homepage on the

Internet]. 2014 [updated 2014 Jun 11; cited 2015 Sep 17]. Available from:

http://www.diabetes.org/are-you-at-risk/lower-your-risk/gdm.html.

19. Bellamy L, Casas J-P, Hingorani AD, Williams D. Type 2 diabetes mellitus

after gestational diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet.

2009;373(9677):1773-9.

20. Will JC, Galuska DA, Ford ES, Mokdad A, Calle EE. Cigarette smoking and

diabetes mellitus: evidence of a positive association from a large prospective

cohort study. International Journal of Epidemiology. 2001;30(3):540-6.

21. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Smoking and diabetes

[homepage on the Internet]. 2015 [updated 2015 Sep 1; cited 2015 Sep 17].

Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/diabetes.html.

22. Ley SH, Hamdy O, Mohan V, Hu FB. Prevention and management of type 2

diabetes: dietary components and nutritional strategies. The Lancet.

2014;383(9933):1999-2007.