Type 1 diabetes can't be prevented. However, a healthy lifestyle can help prevent all other types of diabetes.
Regular exercise: Aim for 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day. Take a brisk daily walk, ride your bike or swim laps. Workouts can be broken up into smaller sessions spread throughout the day.
Healthy eating: Choose foods low in fat and calories. Focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Lose excess weight: A 5 percent loss of body weight can reduce the risk of diabetes for someone who is overweight.
Get screened for diabetes: The American Diabetes Association recommends that testing to detect pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes be considered in adults without symptoms who are overweight or obese and have one or more of the additional risk factors for diabetes listed below. In those without these risk factors, testing should begin at age 45.
Kids: Obesity & Diabetes
Risk factors include:
Physical inactivity
Family history: A parent or sibling has type 2 diabetes.
Race: If you are African-American, Hispanic, American Indian or Asian-American.
Gave birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds or been diagnosed with gestational diabetes
High blood pressure—140/90 mmHg or above
HDL, or “good,” cholesterol level below 35 mg/dL or a triglyceride level above 250 mg/dL
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Acanthosis nigricans, a condition characterized by a dark, velvety rash around the neck or armpits
