Overweight Adults Are Urged To Get Tested For Diabetes

BEACON TRANSCRIPT – A new recommendation has surfaced, and overweight adults are urged to get tested for diabetes by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (PSTF). This is even in the case where they do not present themselves with symptoms.

The Task Force has issued a new suggestion for adults who are overweight to take more scrutinizing preventive measures and test themselves for type 2 diabetes. This arrives in the lieu of studies conducted over the last few years. They have essentially noted a gradual rise in the condition in the United States.

Early preventive measures may see to those numbers dropping.

In 2008, the Task Force recommended patients with high blood sugar to get themselves screened for diabetes. However, studies have shown that preventive alteration in lifestyle, such as a healthy diet and exercise, may serve in avoiding or, at least, delaying the condition. That is why the new protocol suggests that testing should be done before symptoms occur.

The U.S. Task Force is now recommending that all overweight adults between the ages of 40 and 70 years old should get tested for diabetes. However, according to Dr. Michael Pignone, they are aware that performing the tests on a healthy person may be both “beneficial and potentially harmful”. Thus, they will be focusing on tests that they know for sure that are effective.

This will essentially help eliminate panic springing from inaccurate testing. They will be screening adults within the aforementioned ages for high glucose levels before the issue further progresses. Doctors and medical health professionals may direct them toward various programs and intensive lifestyle interventions.

Physical activities and healthy eating habits are still the two pillars upon which a long, healthy life is held. However, the genetic factor certainly plays an important role. According to the Task Force, getting tested once every 3 years seems like a reasonable recommendation.

Dr. Pignone stated that nearly 40% of Americans have abnormal levels of blood sugar, which further increases their risk of diabetes. Furthermore, there are certain groups of people at risk even though they’re not overweight. This includes people with a family history of diabetes, women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, and several ethnic minorities.

This new measure is meant to catch the life crippling condition before it occurs. The absence of preventive actions might result in a 15-30% increase in the rate of diabetes within the next 5 years in the United States.

While the American Diabetes Association commends the U.S. Task Force for their new recommendation, they underline an issue. They imply that most numbers might still suffer by narrowing the focus down to individuals between 40-70 years old. According to their findings, people between 20 to 44 years old have a 60% increased likelihood of living with undiagnosed diabetes.

This means the issue is spread among younger age groups as well, with increased risk in those overweight.

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