Almost overnight, the number of people who should think seriously about diabetes has nearly quadrupled. Some 21 million Americans have diabetes. If their blood sugar level isn’t controlled, over time that can lead to high blood pressure, kidney failure, heart trouble and stroke.

But experts say there’s a new group of people who also need to act. They have pre-diabetes, and their ranks may reach 41 million.

People older than age 45 are at risk. Other risk factors include not exercising, being overweight or obese, being an ethnic minority, having an immediate family member with type 2 diabetes, having had gestational diabetes or having had a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds. People with such risk factors “... are likely to get type 2, or adult onset, diabetes if they don’t change the way they live,” says Frank Vinicor, M.D., M.P.H., Diabetes Program Director at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Losing weight, eating a healthy diet and getting moderate exercise are suggested lifestyle changes. “We’ve found that losing 8 to 10 pounds can make a difference,” says Dr. Vinicor. “People shouldn’t think they can’t help themselves because they can’t lose a large amount at once.”

By the Numbers
Here’s what overnight blood sugar numbers (with eight hours or more of fasting) mean, according to CDC guidelines. Doctors measure blood sugar in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl):

• Normal: below 100 mg/dl
• Pre-diabetes: 100 to 125 mg/dl
• Diabetes: 126 mg/dl and above

If you have questions, talk with your doctor. You can also visit the American Diabetes Association Web site at www.diabetes.org.