Maintain a healthy weight. Once obesity develops, the risk of type 2 diabetes goes way up. In overweight adults, for each 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram) gained per year the risk of developing diabetes increases about 50 percent over the next 10 years. By losing 2.2 pounds per year the risk of developing diabetes is reduced about 33 percent for the next 10 years.
Exercise. It not only helps prevent obesity but the muscle you develop helps your body to utilize blood sugar more efficiently, lowering your diabetes risk. Aerobic exercise helps prevent obesity and resistance training increases muscle mass, both of which are desirable when trying to prevent type 2 diabetes. Exercising three times per week is generally considered the minimum amount to achieve desired results.
Watch your blood sugar. If you have high blood sugar or prediabetes, talk to your doctor. Recent studies have shown that some medications, used at the first sign of high blood sugar, may prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes,. However, keep in mind that all medications have side effects and that no medications are currently approved by the FDA for the purpose of preventing type 2 diabetes.
