What Is Pre-Diabetes?

Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they usually have pre-diabetes. This is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but are not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes.

 

In addition to diabetes, people with pre-diabetes are at risk for developing heart attacks and strokes. Studies suggest that weight loss and increased physical activity can prevent or delay diabetes.

 

Forms of Pre-Diabetes

There are two forms of pre-diabetes:

• Impaired fasting glucose
• Impaired glucose tolerance.
   

Impaired Fasting Glucose

A person has impaired fasting glucose (IFG) when fasting plasma glucose is 100 to 125 mg/dL. This level is higher than normal but less than the level indicating a diagnosis of diabetes.

 

Impaired Glucose Tolerance

Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) means that blood glucose during the oral glucose tolerance test is higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. IGT is diagnosed when the glucose level is 140 to 199 mg/dL two hours after a person drinks a liquid containing 75 grams of glucose.

 

There are a number of pre-diabetes risk factors, including:

 

• Age. People over 45 are at an increased risk for pre-diabetes.
   
• Abnormal lipid levels. Men with an HDL cholesterol of less than 40 mg/dL and women with an HDL cholesterol of less than 50 mg/dL are at increased risk for pre-diabetes; people with triglyceride levels of 250 mg/dL or more are also at an increased risk.
   
• Overweight. People who are overweight, which is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 25 (23 if Asian American; 26 if a Pacific Islander), are at an increased risk of developing pre-diabetes. (see Diabetes Risk Factors for more information about diabetes and BMI.)
   
• Blood pressure. People with blood pressure readings higher than 140/90 mm/Hg are at increased risk for pre-diabetes.
   

  • Family history. People with a parent or sibling with pre-diabetes have a higher-than-normal risk of getting the disease.
     
  • Ethnicity. Statistics show that people of African American, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, or Pacific Island heritage have an increased risk of developing diabetes.
     
  • Inactive lifestyle. People who exercise fewer than three times per week may be at an increased risk of developing pre-diabetes.
     
  • History of gestational diabetes. Women who have previously had gestational diabetes or given birth to at least one baby weighing nine pounds or more are at increased risk for pre-diabetes.
     

    There is a lot that people with pre-diabetes can do to lower their chances of getting diabetes. You can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by:

     

    • Exercising regularly
    • Reducing fat and calorie intake
    • Losing weight.
       

    Lowering cholesterol levels and blood pressure also helps you stay healthy.

     

    According to a recent study, lifestyle modifications that resulted in a 5 percent to 7 percent weight loss could delay and possibly prevent type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle modifications consisted of:

     

    • Exercising about 30 minutes a day, five days a week (usually by walking)
    • Lowering intake of fat and calories.
       

    Lifestyle modifications were even more effective in those 60 and older. They reduced their risk by 71 percent.

     

    Statistics on Pre-Diabetes

    About 35 million people ages 40 to 74 have impaired fasting glucose, and 16 million have impaired glucose tolerance. Because some people have both conditions, the total number of U.S. adults ages 40 to 74 with pre-diabetes comes to about 41 million.

     

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