What factors increase the risk of prediabetes?
As people with prediabetes don’t have any signs or symptoms, it is important to be aware of the risk factors and have your blood glucose levels tested by your doctor if you are at risk. Your healthcare team can help you assess your risk.
The risk factors
The risk factors for developing prediabetes are the same as for Type 2 diabetes. The risk factors below can be used to assess your risk of developing prediabetes (and Type 2 diabetes).
If you are white and over 40 years old, or if you’re Black or South Asian and over 25 years old and have one or more of the following risk factors, then you may be at risk of prediabetes (and Type 2 diabetes) and should ask your GP for a test:
- A close member of your family has Type2 diabetes (parent or brother or sister).
- You’re overweight or your waist is 31.5 inches or over for women; 35 inches or over for South Asian men and 37 inches or over for white and black men.
- You have high blood pressure or you’ve had a heart attack or a stroke.
- You’re a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome and you are overweight.
- You’re a woman and you’ve had gestational diabetes.
- You have severe mental health problems.
Prediabetes is a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes
It is important to note that prediabetes itself is a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes.
The more risk factors that apply to you, the greater your risk of having prediabetes and developing Type 2 diabetes in the future.
Reviewed October 2009.