Over two million Texans live with diabetes. A prediabetes study at the Texas Diabetes Institute helps those with prediabetes make lifestyle changes to avoid a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
“I have my blood sugar tested annually,” said Martha Hutchinson, a patient with prediabetes. “I was right at the verge where I needed assistance to bring my blood sugar level down.”
Hutchinson found out she was prediabetic two years ago. She’s thrilled to be part of TDI’s prediabetes study. “I’m glad I’m in the study because I learned the right ways to do things, even sleeping eight hours a day, drinking lots of water, walking daily," she said.
Risk Factors for Prediabetes
- Having a family history of the disease
- Being over the age of 45
- Being overweight
- Having a sedentary lifestyle
- Having a poor diet
“I found yoga and I’m doing that four times a week, and I love it, so I stick to it,” Hutchinson said.
About 84 million people in the U.S. have prediabetes. That’s about one in every three people. Nine out of 10 people with prediabetes don’t know they have it. Prediabetes increases your risk for Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
For Hutchinson, TDI’s prediabetes study has brought her much success. “In the two years that I’ve been in this study, I’ve lost 30 pounds, and that’s not by going on a crash diet or a fad diet, that’s just by making healthy choices,” she said.
