Risk Factors

Type 2 diabetes can occur without you knowing it, so it is important to be aware of your risks. To determine if you are at risk of developing diabetes, look at the list of risk factors below or carry out the risk assessment using the CDA brochure called Are You At Risk?

Risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes

Being:

• 40 years of age or older
• A member of a high risk population, such as Aboriginal, Hispanic, South Asian, Asian, or African descent
• Overweight, especially around the middle

Having:

• A close family member with diabetes
• A history of gestational diabetes
• A history of giving birth to baby that weighed over 9 lbs
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance
• Health complications associated with diabetes

Reduce Your Risk

Can You Prevent type 2 diabetes?

How can you delay the onset of type 2 diabetes?

How can you begin making healthy eating choices?

Can you prevent type 2 diabetes?

Research has shown that you can delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes by taking steps to manage your blood glucose when you have prediabetes. Prediabetes refers to blood glucose levels that are higher than normal, but not yet in range to diagnose type 2 diabetes.

How can you delay the onset of type 2 diabetes?

Research studies have proven that simple lifestyle changes, such as increasing your physical activity and making healthy food choices may help you reduce blood glucose levels. These changes will also help you to lose weight which will make a huge difference in your health and quality of life.

How can you begin making healthy eating choices?

Comparing your intake to the recommendations in Canada's Food Guide is one place to start. Canada's Food Guide forms the basis of healthy eating for all people. A copy of Canada's Food Guide and other information on healthy eating can be found on Health Canada's Food and Nutrition page.

Regular physical activity has been shown to also help to lower blood glucose level and improve the use of insulin in the body. Information on physical activity can be found on the Public Health Agency website or from its publications entitled Canada's Physical Activity Guide and Canada's Physical Activity Guide for Older Adults.

At Risk Classes (Read More)

This is a 3 hour class offered through the PEI Provincial Diabetes Program in various locations across the province. It discusses healthy living approaches which will help you reduce risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes.

Topics covered:

• Definitions of pre-diabetes and diabetes used for diagnosis.
• Healthy eating- includes ideas for keeping your blood glucose levels down as well as fat reduction and its role in diabetes prevention.
• Physical activity- its role in helping control blood glucose levels.