About 1.5 million Americans a year are diagnosed with diabetes, and hundreds of thousands more develop the disease but go undiagnosed, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Nearly 21 million Americans live with the disorder, more than double the number diagnosed in 1980, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Understanding risk factors can help people prevent certain types of diabetes, such as type 2 diabetes (by far the most common type of diabetes), and avoid complications arising from diabetes, including type 1 diabetes.

A family history of diabetes and genetics are two of the strongest links to developing certain types of this disease. Like age, race and sex, they are uncontrollable risk factors. However, there are also many diabetes risk factors that can be reduced.

Controllable risk factors include diet, weight, level of activity and stress. For instance, there is a strong link between obesity and type 2 diabetes. Habits, such as lack of exercise, smoking and excessive use of alcohol, are also risk factors for diabetes as well as other conditions related to diabetes, such as cardiovascular disease.

Though there is no guarantee that modifying a lifestyle will prevent diabetes, the change may inhibit or delay the development of the condition. A person who is at higher risk for diabetes should take preventive measures as recommended by a physician. These adjustments can help reduce the risk of developing diabetes and the medical complications associated with the condition.