Diabetes Prevention
(Type 2 Diabetes)

1. Type 2 Diabetes Slideshow Pictures
2. Diabetes and Foot Problems Slideshow Pictures
3. Take the Diabetes Quiz!

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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• While genetics plays an important role, an individual still has the ability to influence their health to prevent diabetes.
• Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are the biggest risk factors that are controllable. People should watch their weight, and exercise more.
• Diet is important because it helps with weight loss. There are some foods such as nuts, which in small amounts provide health benefits in blood sugar regulation.
• There are tests available to see if a person is at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, but to identify the two main factors simply requires a good family history (genetics) and a bathroom scale.
• Exercise is beneficial even without weight loss in the prevention of type 2 diabetes.
• Exercise is even more beneficial with weight loss in the prevention of type 2 diabetes
• Smoking is harmful in many ways including increasing the risk of cancer and heart disease. It also increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
• There are medications available that have been shown in large trials to delay or prevent the onset of overt diabetes. Use of these medications requires a detailed discussion of pros and cons with a doctor as there are side effects to consider.
• The coming years will be very exciting regarding the advances in the field of prevention of diabetes. However, the cornerstone of therapy will likely remain a healthy lifestyle.