What Is Prediabetes and Could I Have It?

Prediabetes is characterized by blood glucose (sugar) levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Prediabetes increases the risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. One in three US adults has prediabetes and nearly 90% of them don’t know it.

What You Can Do:

  Use the What Is Prediabetes? presentation and supporting materials to help your employees 1) learn about the risk factors for prediabetes, 2) find out if they might have prediabetes, and 3) take action to prevent or delay getting type 2 diabetes. Offer the What is Prediabetes? program to employees who are at high risk for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Risk factors include

  Being overweight.

  Being 45 years of age or older.

  Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes.

  Doing little physical activity in a typical day.

  For women, having given birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds.

  For women, having had diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes).

  The lesson plan and supporting PowerPoint slides can be found on Diabetes at Work under Quick Links/Lesson Plans.

  Promote the CDC-recognized National Diabetes Prevention Program to your employees at high risk for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. This program is a lifestyle intervention on the basis of research that showed, among people with prediabetes, a 58% reduction in the number of new cases of diabetes overall and a 71% reduction in new cases among people older than age 60.

·  Programs are offered in various community locations such as local YMCAs, community centers, faith-based organizations, hospitals, worksites, and also online.

·  Program participants work with a trained lifestyle coach to learn the skills needed to make lasting lifestyle changes, including learning to eat healthy, add physical activity, manage stress, stay motivated, and solve problems.

·  Find a program for your employees.

·  Review this presentation guide and the associated PowerPoint presentation and gather the handouts a few days before the session.

·  Share additional Diabetes atWork resources with your employees.

Presentation Objectives:

/ Employees will
  Know their prediabetes screening test score and recommended action based on their score.
  Describe regular physical activity and weight loss as effective strategies to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes.
  Find nearby National Diabetes Prevention Programs or an online program.

Presentation Outline:

/ I.  Discussion Topics
A.  What is prediabetes?
B.  What is the Prediabetes Screening Test?
C.  How can you delay or prevent type 2 diabetes?
II.  What is the National Diabetes Prevention Program?

Time Required:

/ 30 minutes

AUDIO-VISUAL:

/ PowerPoint presentation, laptop/projector

Handouts:

/   Prediabetes–Could It Be You?
  CDC Prediabetes Screening Test

Activity:

/   Participants complete the CDC Prediabetes Screening Test.

For More Information:

/   National Diabetes Education Program (www.cdc.gov/diabetes/ndep
Small Steps. Big Rewards. Your GAME PLAN to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes: A three-booklet package that helps people implement a program to prevent or delay the onset of the disease; includes an activity tracker and a fat and calorie counter.
Find additional information and resources at:
  National Diabetes Prevention Program (www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/index.htm)
  1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)