Points for each risk factor below were added up to calculate your score. For example, if you answered yes to the question “Do you have a mother, father, sister, or brother with diabetes?” you scored 1 point for Family History. If you answered no to the question “Have you ever been diagnosed with high blood pressure?” you scored 0 points for High Blood Pressure, and so on for all the risk factors. A total of 5 points or higher is considered high risk for having prediabetes.
Less than 40 years: 0 points
40–49 years: 1 point
50–59 years: 2 points
60 years or older: 3 points
The older you are, the higher your risk for type 2 diabetes. Risk starts to increase at around age 45 and increases sharply after age 65.
Man: 1 point
Woman: 0 points
Woman who has had gestational diabetes: 1 point
More men than women have undiagnosed diabetes, possibly because men are less likely to see their doctor regularly. Gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant) goes away after the baby is born, but increases a woman’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Yes: 1 point
No: 0 points
There’s a link between family history and type 2 diabetes, but not only because family members are related. Sometimes they share certain habits that can increase their risk.
Yes: 1 point
No: 0 points
High blood pressure raises your risk for type 2 diabetes. It can also increase your risk for heart disease, eye problems, and kidney disease or make them worse.
Yes: 0 points
No: 1 point
Being inactive is a known risk factor for type 2 diabetes. One reason is that your body can’t use insulin as well when you don’t get regular physical activity. Insulin helps keep blood sugar levels from getting too high.
Column 1: 0 points
Column 2: 1 point
Column 3: 2 points
Column 4: 3 points
Body mass index or BMI is a measure of height compared to weight. For example, a person who is 5’3” and weighs 120 pounds has a BMI of 21 and is in the normal range:
| Weight status | BMI |
|---|---|
| Normal | 18.5-24.9 |
| Overweight | 25-29.9 |
| Obese | 30 or greater |
People with higher BMIs have a higher risk for type 2 diabetes.