Diabetes Symptom? Take the Diabetes Risk Test

Could you have diabetes and not know it?

There are 20.8 million Americans with diabetes - and nearly one-third of them (or 6.2 million people) don't know it! Take this test to see if you are at risk for having diabetes. Diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. If you are a member of one of these ethnic groups, you need to pay special attention to this test.

To find out if you are at risk, write in the points next to each statement that is true for you. If a statement is not true, write a zero. Then add all the points to get your total score.

			Yes	No
1.	My weight is equal to or above that listed in the chart below?		5pts	0pts
2.	I am under 65 years of age and I get little or no exercise during a usual day?		5pts	0pts
3.	I am between 45 and 64 years of age?		5pts	0pts
4.	I am 65 years old or older?		9pts	0pts
5.	I am a woman who has had a baby weighing more than nine pounds at birth?		1pts	0pts
6.	I have a sister or brother with diabetes?		1pts	0pts
7.	I have a parent with diabetes?		1pts	0pts
Total Points:			_______

Scoring 3-9 points
You are probably at low risk for having diabetes now. But don't just forget about it -- especially if you are Hispanic/Latino, African American, American Indian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander. You may be at higher risk in the future.

Scoring 10 or more points
You are at greater risk for having diabetes. Only your health care provider can determine if you have diabetes. At your next office visit, find out for sure.

At-Risk Weight Chart Body Mass Index Height in feet and inches without shoes Weight in pounds without clothing 4'10" 129 4'11" 133 5'0" 138 5'1" 143 5'2" 147 5'3" 152 5'4" 157 5'5" 162 5'6" 167 5'7" 172 5'8" 177 5'9" 182 5'10" 188 5'11" 193 6'0" 199 6'1" 204 6'2" 210 6'3" 216 6'4" 221 If you weigh the same or more than the amount listed for your height, you may be at risk for diabetes.

Diabetes Facts You Should Know

Diabetes is a serious disease that can lead to blindness, heart disease, strokes, kidney failure, and amputations. It kills almost 210,000 people each year.

Some people with diabetes exhibit symptoms, some do not. If you have any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor:

• Extreme thirst
  

• Frequent urination
  

• Unexplained weight loss

(Risk Test from the American Diabetes Association. For more information, visit www.diabetes.org.)