Untreated diabetes can be a factor in heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, eye problems and neurological disorders. Medical research has provided considerable information about risk factors in the development of Type-2 diabetes. Take this test to see whether you are at risk for this disease. The test is scored from 1 to 10 points, with a higher score indicating higher risk for diabetes.
1 – Do You Have A Close Family Member With Diabetes?
If you have a mother, father, sister or brother diagnosed with diabetes, you are at higher risk for developing the disease. A yes answer earns you 1 point.
____Yes
____No
2 – Have You Ever Been Diagnosed with High Blood Pressure?
Individuals with high blood pressure are known to be at higher risk for developing Type-2 diabetes. A yes answer earns 1 point.
____Yes
____No
3 – What Is Your Age?
People over the age of 40 are at higher risk for developing Type-2 diabetes. With each decade, your risk increases. This answer will score from 1 to 3 points.
____ Under 40
____40 to 49
____50 to 59
____Over 60
4 – Are You Male or Female?
Men are at higher risk for undiagnosed diabetes because they often avoid regular physical examinations. Being male earns 1 point.
____Male
____Female
If female, were you diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy?
If you were diagnosed with gestational diabetes during any pregnancy, you are at higher risk for developing diabetes later in life. A yes answer earns 1 point.
____Yes
____No
5 – What Is Your Ethnicity?
Medical research has indicated that some ethnic groups are at higher risk for diabetes.
____Caucasian/White
____American Indian/Alaskan Native
____Black/African American
____Latino/Hispanic
____Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
____Other
____Prefer Not To Answer
6 – Are You Physically Active?
People with sedentary lifestyles that do not engage in regular physical activity are at higher risk for diabetes. A no answer earns 1 point.
____Yes
____No
7 – What Is Your Weight and Height
The ratio of height to weight provides your Body Mass Index, or BMI, another important factor in the risk for diabetes. .Your answer can earn 1 to 3 points.
_______Weight
_______Height
Understanding the risk factors for Type-2 diabetes can help individuals make good health decisions, such as changing their diet or exercise level, maintaining their weight and seeing their physicians regularly.
