Pre-Diabetes: Are You at Risk?

July 30 -- Is diabetes knocking at your door? It is for millions of Americans. In fact, it's the fourth-leading killer in the country. But with proper identification of those with a condition dubbed "pre-diabetes," the full-blown version of the illness can be turned away.

An estimated 16 million Americans have pre-diabetes, on top of the 17 million estimated to have already developed diabetes. Pre-diabetes, a term coined earlier this year as part of an ongoing prevention campaign, describes a condition previously known as impaired glucose tolerance.

Those with the condition have blood glucose levels higher than they should be but are not yet high enough to be classified as diabetes. The higher levels put them at greater risk of developing not only diabetes, but also stroke and heart disease.

While pre-diabetes has been around for years under a different moniker, a growing body of research uncovering its considerable threat encouraged health officials to push for greater awareness and recognition.

"If you tell people that they don't have diabetes yet, they think 'Oh good.' They take that loophole," says Anne Daly, past-president of health care and education for the American Diabetes Association, based in Alexandria, Va. "We don't want people to take that loophole."

Who Is at Risk?

The good news is that with quick intervention a future full of insulin shots can be avoided. Among those at the greatest risk of developing pre-diabetes, and full-blown diabetes, include:

Those with a family history of diabetes, as well as those who have had high blood sugar while pregnant — a condition known as gestational diabetes.

Those who belong to minority groups that are disproportionately affected by diabetes, including African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos and Pacific Islanders.

Those who are overweight or obese.

Those with high blood pressure or blood fats.

Those who are sedentary or inactive.

To ward off the the disease, health officials recommended specifically that overweight people over the age of 45 be screened for pre-diabetes.