One in Five Adolescents now living with Prediabetes

Nearly 1 in 5 adolescents aged 12-18 years, and 1 in 4 young adults aged 19-34 years, are living with prediabetes, according to a new CDC study.  Prediabetes is a health condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. The condition also increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, heart disease, and stroke.  Monitoring the percentage of adolescents and young adults with prediabetes can help determine the future risk of type 2 diabetes. To do this, CDC researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey covering the years 2005-2016. Research shows that adults with prediabetes who take part in a structured lifestyle-change program, including weight management and exercise, can cut their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58% (71% for people over 60 years old).  To learn more about diabetes or the National Diabetes Prevention Program, visit cdc.gov/diabetes.