What is Prediabetes?

Prediabetes is when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. If left untreated, prediabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

In the United States, 1 in 3 adults has prediabetes but 8 in 10 are unaware they have it. In Albany County, there are over 36,000 residents that are prediabetic.

Some risk factors for prediabetes:

• Being overweight or obese.
• Being 45 years or older.
• Having a family member with type 2 diabetes.
• Low physical activity (less than 3 times a week).
• If you ever had gestational diabetes or gave birth to a baby over 9 pounds.
• Race/Ethnicity (Some races are at an increased risk for prediabetes.).

However, prediabetes can be reversed.

For more information on prediabetes and risk factors, click here to visit the CDC Diabetes Risk Factors webpage.

What is the National Diabetes Prevention Program?

The National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) is a CDC-recognized, evidence-based lifestyle change program that aims to reduce the risk of prediabetic individuals developing type 2 diabetes.

It is a yearlong program that starts off with 16 consecutive weeks followed by monthly maintenance sessions.