Photo: Dan Goldblatt (WFIU News)
Moderate weight loss and exercise can reduce your risk.
More than 1.6 million Hoosiers have pre-diabetes, putting them at high risk for type 2 diabetes in the future. Hoosiers can learn whether they are at risk by taking a simple test today. The American Diabetes Association alert day is a one-day “wake-up” call.
The risk test asks users to answer questions about weight, age, family history and other potential risks for pre-diabetes or type II diabetes.
Elizabeth Mayer-Davis, with the American Diabetes Association, says the risk for developing type 2 diabetes can often be reduced.
“It’s not just behavior,” she says, “but for people who are at high risk, people with a strong family history of diabetes, they can reduce their risk for developing diabetes substantially with moderate weight loss and physical activity.”
If an individual is at high risk, he or she is encouraged to talk with their health care provider. Free diabetes health tests will be available at various locations around the state.
Hoosiers can also take the free diabetes risk test online at www.stopdiabetes.com.
