Join McLaren Oakland in bringing awareness to diabetes during the month of November and American Diabetes Month.
With 29.1 million people in the United States living with diabetes (with an estimated 8.1 million unaware they have the disease), countless more are at risk of developing it. However, lifestyle changes can reduce your risk.
Take the risk test (from the American Diabetes Association) to know just how at-risk you may be.
Tally your points.
_____ How old are you?
"¢ Less than 40 years (0 points)
"¢ 40-49 years (1 point)
"¢ 50-59 years (2 points)
"¢ 60 years and older (3 points)
_____ Are you a man or woman?
"¢ Man (1 point)
"¢ Woman (0 points)
_____ If you are a woman, have you ever been diagnosed with gestational diabetes?
"¢ Yes (1 point)
"¢ No (0 points)
_____ Do you have a mother, father, sister or brother with diabetes?
"¢ Yes (1 point)
"¢ No (0 points)
_____ Have you ever been diagnosed with high blood pressure?
"¢ Yes (1 point)
"¢ No (0 points)
_____ Are you physically active?
Yes (0 points)
No (1 point)
_____ What is your weight status?
(See chart)
Less than amount in left column (0 points)
Left column (1 point)
Middle column (2 points)
Right column (3 points)
_____ Total score
If you scored 5 or higher, you are at an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, however only your physician can confirm if you have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is more common in African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, American Indians, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
If you think you might be at risk for diabetes, visit mclaren.org/oaklandappointments to make an appointment with a McLaren Oakland family medicine physician.