Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool
Without insulin, the sugar is unable to get into the cells to do its work. It stays in the blood instead. This can cause high blood sugar levels. A person has diabetes when the blood sugar stays too high too much of the time.
Take the Risk Assessment – Know Your Score
| Yes | No | Answer these seven simple questions. For each “Yes” answer, add the number of points listed. All “No” answers are 0 points. |
| 1 | 0 | Are you a woman who has had a baby weighing more than 9 pounds at birth? |
| 1 | 0 | Do you have a sister or brother with diabetes? |
| 1 | 0 | Do you have a parent with diabetes? |
| 5 | 0 | Find your height on the chart below. Do you weigh as much or more than the weight listed for your height? |
| 5 | 0 | Are you younger than 65 years of age and get little or no exercise in a typical day? |
| 5 | 0 | Are you between 45 and 64 years of age? |
| 9 | 0 | Are you 65 years of age or older? |
| Add your score and check what it means below. | ||
If Your Score is 3 to 8 Points . . .
This means your risk is probably low for having prediabetes now. Keep your risk low. If you’re overweight, lose weight. Be active more days and don’t use tobacco. Eat low-fat meals with fruit, vegetables and whole-grain foods. If you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, talk to your health care provider about your risk for Type 2 diabetes.
If Your Score is 9 or More Points . . .
This means your risk is high for having prediabetes now. Please make an appointment with your health care provider soon.
Source: cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/pdf/prediabetestest.pdf
Is Soda the New Tobacco?
The American Journal of Managed Care recently published an article titled, “Is Soda the New Tobacco? An Expert, and New CDC Data, Say Yes.” A 12-ounce can of Coca-Cola® has 140 calories, 39 grams of sugar and no nutritional value. Not only does this lead to obesity, but it also contributes to diabetes and prediabetes. With healthy eating and exercise, blood sugar may return to normal.
Unity has a diabetes program that offers education, skills development and health coaching. If you have prediabetes, you may prevent it from developing into diabetes. Talk to your doctor or nurse today or visit unityhealth.com/diabetes for more information.
Sources: CDC; American Journal of Managed Care: www.ajmc.com/journals/evidence-baseddiabetes-management/2016/march-2016/Is-Soda-the-New-Tobacco-An-Expert-and-New-CDC-Data-Say-Yes