Know your diabetes risk score

Knowing all the different risk factors is an important first step in preventing type 2 diabetes. Some key risk factors include: age, sex, blood pressure, level of physical activity, weight, family history of diabetes or heart disease, and a history of gestational diabetes during pregnancy or of giving birth to a baby over 9 pounds. Your test score is based on your answers to 6 questions below about these risk factors. A higher score indicates a higher risk.

Take the diabetes risk assessment 

Answer the following 6 questions to learn your diabetes risk score. The assessment will take 2-3 minutes to complete. Keep track of your points, and add them up at the end to understand what your score means and what actions you should take to help prevent type 2 diabetes.

1. How old are you?

Less than 45 years (0 points)

45 years or older (8 points)

2. Do you weigh as much as or more than the weight listed for your height? Find your height on the chart here to determine your points. If you are of Asian descent, add 15 pounds to your current weight before using the chart.

No (0 points)

Yes (8 points)

3. If you are a woman, have you ever been diagnosed with gestational diabetes?

No (0 points)

Yes (2 points)

4. Do you have a mother, father, sister, or brother with diabetes?

No (0 points) 

Yes (2 points)

5. Have you ever been diagnosed with high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, or high triglycerides?

No (0 points)

Yes (1 point)

6. Do you get 30 minutes of physical activity in a typical day most days of the week?

No (2 points)

Yes (0 points)

My score is 0-9: low risk for type 2 diabetes

According to your results, you are not currently at risk for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. To keep your risk low, eat healthy foods, be physically active most days of the week, and don't use tobacco. For additional tips to keep yourself healthy, visit our tips to prevent and manage type 2 diabetes page.

My score is 10 or higher: high risk for type 2 diabetes

According to your results, you are at risk for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Talk to your doctor about a prediabetes blood screening test, such as an A1C blood glucose test, and join a Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). You can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes by taking small steps to live a healthier life. Visit our tips to prevent and manage type 2 diabetes page to get started.

If your doctor diagnoses you with prediabetes, here are some questions you may want to ask to learn more:

• What do you think is causing my prediabetes?
• What do you recommend I do to prevent my prediabetes from turning into type 2 diabetes?
• How long do I need to follow your recommendations to prevent type 2 diabetes?
• Can I lower my blood sugar by eating healthy, being physically active, reducing stress, and avoiding smoking?
• How often should I be checked for prediabetes with a blood test?

More information about the risk test

This prediabetes risk test only serves as a screening tool and does not replace the need for a more accurate lab-based test to diagnose either prediabetes or diabetes. Questions are adapted from the American Diabetes Association risk assessment test from 2017. Similar risk tests are also available from other on-line organizations in multiple languages:

• American Diabetes Association (ADA): Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test (in English) 
• Ad Council: So...Do I have Prediabetes:  English / Spanish
• CDC Prediabetes Screening Test: English / Spanish

 

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