How Can I Reduce My Risk of Diabetes

You can do a lot to lower your chances of getting diabetes. Exercising regularly, reducing fat and calorie intake, and losing a little weight can help you reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels also helps you stay healthy.

If you are overweight

Then take these steps:

• Reach and maintain a reasonable body weight.

• Make wise food choices most of the time.

• Be physically active every day.

If you are fairly inactive

Then take this step:

• Be physically active every day.

If your blood pressure is too high

Then take these steps:

• Reach and maintain a reasonable body weight.

• Make wise food choices most of the time.

• Reduce your intake of sodium and alcohol.

• Be physically active every day.

• Talk with your doctor about whether you need medicine to control your blood pressure

If your cholesterol or triglyceride levels are too high

• Then take these steps:

• Make wise food choices most of the time.

• Be physically active every day.

• Talk with your doctor about whether you need medicine to control your cholesterol levels.

- Source: National Institutes Health Clearinghouse