Diabetes is a globally prevalent disease with an increasing rate of patients every year. Once having diabetes for a while, other complications begin to follow, such as nervous system disorders, eye diseases, heart diseases, and kidney diseases, etc., which will deteriorate the quality of life. Preventing diabetes by detecting Pre Diabetes condition is a better way to reduce the occurrence of diabetes and its complications than treating it. Individuals at risk for diabetes are also at high risk of developing heart and vascular diseases.
Warning Signs of Diabetes Risk
- Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) between 100 – 125 mg/dl
- Blood sugar levels 2 hours after drinking 75 grams of sugar (OGTT) between 140 – 199 mg/dl
- Average cumulative sugar levels (HbA1C) between 6.4 – 7%
Why Prevent Diabetes
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If not diabetic, it reduces the burden on oneself, family, society, and the country.
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Individuals with sugar levels between 100 – 125 mg/dl are at very high risk of diabetes.
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Detecting the Pre Diabetes condition indicates the likelihood of diabetes in the future, which is convenient and inexpensive, including blood sugar tests, average sugar levels test, and Oral Glucose Tolerance Test.
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Effectively taking care of health to prevent diabetes, such as not fasting, eating 3 meals a day and consuming from all 5 food groups, exercising continuously for 20 – 30 minutes, 5 days/week. If taken good care of, the risk of diabetes can be reduced by 58% (Reference Pre Diabetes Prevention Program 2002)
Who is at Risk for Diabetes
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Older than 45 years
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Younger than 45 years
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Individuals with direct relatives having diabetes
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High blood pressure
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Gestational diabetes
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Lack of exercise
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Irregular eating habits, consuming sweets, or fast foods
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High blood fat
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Obesity or BMI ≥ 25 Kg/m2
