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Diabetes Risk Factors

There are many factors that increase your risk for diabetes. To find out about your risk, note each item on this list that applies to you.

• I am 45 years of age or older.
• The At-Risk Weight Chart shows my current weight puts me at risk.
• I have a parent, brother, or sister with diabetes.
• My family background is African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American or Pacific Islander.
• I have had diabetes while I was pregnant (this is called gestational diabetes) or I gave birth to a baby weighing 9 pounds or more.
• I have been told that my blood glucose (blood sugar) levels are higher than normal.
• My blood pressure is 140/90 or higher, or I have been told that I have high blood pressure.
• My cholesterol (lipid) levels are not normal. My HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol) is less than 35 or my triglyceride level is higher than 250.
• I am fairly inactive. I am physically active less than three times a week.
• I have been told that I have polycystic ovary syndrome (POS).
• The skin around my neck or in my armpits appears dirty no matter how much I scrub it. The skin appears dark, thick and velvety. This is called acanthosis nigricans.
• I have been told that I have blood vessel problems affecting my heart, brain, or legs.

If you have any of the items above, be sure to talk with your health care team about your risk for diabetes and whether you should be tested.

At-Risk Weight Charts

Find your height in the correct chart. If your weight is equal to or greater than the weight listed, you are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes.

IF YOU ARE NOT
ASIAN AMERICAN OR
PACIFIC ISLANDER
AT RISK BMI ≥ 25

HEIGHT	WEIGHT
4'10"	119
4'11"	124
5'0"	128
5'1"	132
5'2"	136
5'3"	141
5'4"	145
5'5"	150
5'6"	155
5'7"	159
5'8"	164
5'9"	169
5'10"	174
5'11"	179
6'0"	184
6'1"	189
6'2"	194
6'3"	200
6'4"	205

IF YOU ARE
ASIAN AMERICAN
 
AT RISK BMI ≥ 23

HEIGHT	WEIGHT
4'10"	110
4'11"	114
5'0"	118
5'1"	122
5'2"	126
5'3"	130
5'4"	134
5'5"	138
5'6"	142
5'7"	146
5'8"	151
5'9"	155
5'10"	160
5'11"	165
6'0"	169
6'1"	174
6'2"	179
6'3"	184
6'4"	189

IF YOU ARE
PACIFIC ISLANDER
 
AT RISK BMI ≥ 26

HEIGHT	WEIGHT
4'10"	124
4'11"	128
5'0"	133
5'1"	137
5'2"	142
5'3"	146
5'4"	151
5'5"	156
5'6"	161
5'7"	166
5'8"	171
5'9"	176
5'10"	181
5'11"	186
6'0"	191
6'1"	197
6'2"	202
6'3"	208
6'4"	213

Know Your Blood Glucose Numbers

	Fasting Blood Glucose Test	2-Hour Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
Normal	Below 100	Below 140
Pre-diabetes	100-125	140-199
Diabetes	126 or above	200 or above

It is important to find out early if you have pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes, because early treatment can prevent the serious problems caused by high blood glucose.

Ask your health care team about these tests and ask for your blood glucose numbers. It is important to find out early if you have pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes, because early treatment can prevent the serious problems caused by high blood glucose.

Medicare Benefits for People At Risk for Diabetes

For people with Medicare who are at risk for diabetes, Medicare covers a screening blood glucose test to check for diabetes. If you are obese or have a history of high blood glucose, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or other risk factors, you may qualify for this test. Based on the test results, you may be able to get up to two screening tests per year. Medicare covers the full cost of this screening test. Visit the diabetes section on the Medicare website for more information.