What a Registered Dietitian wants you to know about prediabetes

With prediabetes on the rise, we asked our CHPW Health Coaches and Registered Dietitians a few questions about it and what you can do to prevent or delay the progression to type 2 diabetes.

What is prediabetes?

Prediabetes means your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. If you have prediabetes, your body does not use insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body convert food to energy.

One in three Americans have prediabetes, and the majority of adults with prediabetes do not know they have it. Routine blood work is essential for detecting prediabetes. Adopting healthy habits, such as balanced eating, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, stress management, and weight control, can help prevent or delay the progression to diabetes.

– Roya, Registered Dietitian Health Coach at Community Health Plan of Washington

What are prediabetes risk factors?

You are at risk for prediabetes if you:

Are 45 years or older
Are overweight
Have a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes
Are physically active less than three times a week
Have ever had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) or given birth to a baby who weighed over nine pounds
Are an African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, or Alaska Native person. Some Pacific Islanders and Asian American people are also at higher risk

How is it different than having diabetes?

Prediabetes means your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be called diabetes.

If you have prediabetes, will that lead to type 2 diabetes?

If you have prediabetes, you can make healthy lifestyle changes to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes is your body signaling it is a risk and it’s time to take action to avoid developing diabetes.

What are some tips in reducing my risk of getting type 2 diabetes when I currently have prediabetes?

Make healthy lifestyle choices: eat nourishing food, limit added sugars and simple carbohydrates, get active, lose excess weight, manage blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and quit smoking. Also, it is important to get routine blood work recommended by your health care provider.

What blood test results indicate prediabetes?

To be diagnosed with prediabetes you will have fasting blood glucose between 100 – 125 (mg/dL) or hemoglobin A1c (A1c) between 5.7 to 6.4.

CHPW’s Diabetes Care Program can support members with prediabetes to achieve their health and well-being goals.

Our Diabetes Care Team includes Care Managers and Registered Dietitians/Health Coaches who specialize in diabetes care and education. They will work with you to develop realistic goals and lasting changes.

To get started with the Diabetes Care Program, contact CHPW at 1-866-418-7008.

The good news is there are lifestyle changes you can make to manage or reverse prediabetes. Talk to your doctor if you or someone you know needs help managing diabetes.