Who is a Candidate for Diabetes Prevention?

Who is a candidate for diabetes prevention?

An estimated 80 million Americans have prediabetes, yet only one in 10 is aware of it. Few patients take advantage of a prevention program like the Diabetes Prevention Program that can help them avoid type 2 diabetes. Eligibility for participation in the evidence-based program is open to overweight and obese adults who have a recent blood test that scores in the prediabetic range, or who score nine or more points on the CDC's prediabetes screening test. Have your patients or clients call 1-800-DIABETES to find Diabetes Prevention Programs in Colorado.

Diagnosis	Hemoglobin A1c	Fasting plasma glucose (mg/dl)	Oral glucose tolerance test (mg/dl)
Diabetes	6.5% or higher	126 or higher	200 or higher
Prediabetes	5.7% to 6.4%	100 to 125	140 to 199
Normal	About 5%	99 or lower	139 or lower

Criteria			Points for “yes” answer
Is a female who had a baby weighing nine pounds or more at birth.			1
Has a sister or brother with diabetes.			1
Has a parent with diabetes.			1
Has a body mass index of 27 or greater.			5
Is younger than 65 and gets little to no exercise on a typical day.			5
Is between 45 and 64 years old.			5
Is 65 or older.			9

Sources: “Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program: Standards and Operating Procedures,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Sept. 2, 2011 (link); “Diagnosis of Diabetes and Prediabetes,” National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, National Institutes of Health, updated Aug. 29, 2012 (link); “CDC Prediabetes Screening Test,” National Diabetes Prevention Program (link)