1 Out of 3 Adults Have Prediabetes (And What You Can Do About It)

No one likes bad news.

But sometimes “bad news” can be the catalyst for decisive action, a warning that helps us avoid a personal disaster.

This month, the CDC released the new National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2014.

The numbers are truly alarming.

Over 86 million American adults (1 in 3!) have prediabetes. If they don’t take action now to reverse this condition through diet and lifestyle changes, 15-30% will develop full blown Type 2 diabetes within 5 years. And at least 1 out of 3 people will develop diabetes in their lifetime.

Here’s the dangerous part. Nine out of 10 people with prediabetes don’t even know they have it.

Many of these individuals are hurtling down the road to diabetes medication and a higher risk of serious health problems, like blindness, heart disease, kidney disease, and loss of toes, feet or legs.

These are people we know and love. It could be your mother, your father, a grandparent, an aunt or uncle, your spouse, your child. It could even be you.

If you are overweight, have a family history of diabetes, or have had gestational diabetes, then you are at increased risk.

Sobering? Definitely.

It might even feel scary. But it could be the catalyst for decisive action to protect your life.

Take the CDC Prediabetes Risk Quiz. If it turns out that you are at risk, please go to your doctor and get tested.

Putting it off or dismissing it will not make it go away. Your health deserves the same level of attention that you give to the other important areas of your life.

If you heard on the news that your car may have a serious problem that increased your risk of death by 50% (like diabetes,) would you ignore it and just keep driving?

Heck no! You would take action immediately. You’d take your car into the dealership or auto repair center and have it checked out.

You may be worried about the bill and how you will manage the repair, but you need to know, so you take the first step and get the diagnostics done. If your car does not have the problem, you can rest easy at night. If the problem is detected, you can do something about it.

It is the same with your health. If you learn that you have a serious condition, like prediabetes, you can start taking steps to avoid a future of painful ill health.

Our bodies are marvelous at repairing themselves! By making small, sustainable changes to your diet and lifestyle, over a period of time you can reverse your risk of type 2 diabetes and discover a healthy, strong body that will carry you to your fullest life.

If you have recently learned that you are prediabetic and feel overwhelmed by the prospect of making changes to lose weight, take heart!

With the right support you can make the necessary changes to your diet and lifestyle to dramatically improve your health. The work is accomplished one small step at a time. Take full advantage of the resources available to you through your doctor or employer.

Don’t be the 1 in 3. Take the quiz. Get tested. Don’t wait. Your loved ones want you around for a long, full and happy lifetime.