Diabetes Resource Center

The more risk factors you have, the higher your chances of developing diabetes. Risk factors include:

• Overweight or obesity
• Being age 40 or older
• Family history of diabetes
• Low levels of physical activity
• High blood pressure or high cholesterol
• History of gestational diabetes
• Delivering a baby weighing more than 9 lbs.
• Having African American, Latino, Asian, or Native American family background

• Take all medications as instructed.
• Monitor your blood glucose daily and look for patterns.
• Eat three balanced meals per day, manage carbohydrate portions, and reduce saturated fat intake.
• Move your body—walk, dance, garden, clean; it doesn’t have to be the gym.
• Stay motivated—learn about diabetes, talk with friends and family, and keep yourself informed.
• Maintain a healthy weight.

Remember: Small changes can have a big impact!

• Target an A1C (90-day glucose average) of 7 percent or less.
• Keep blood pressure below 130/80.
• Aim for an LDL cholesterol level below 100.
• Quit smoking.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Keep regular appointments with your healthcare team, including eye, foot, kidney, and dental care.

Diabetes can lead to serious health problems, including:

• Leading cause of new blindness cases among adults
• Two to four times higher risk of heart disease and stroke
• Leading cause of end-stage renal disease, which may require dialysis or a kidney transplant
• More than 60 percent of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations occur in people with diabetes
• About 60 to 70 percent of diabetics experience some form of nervous system damage
• Higher risk of gum disease
• Greater susceptibility to infections and illness