If you’re diagnosed with prediabetes, you're at high risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. The risk also increases if you’re overweight or obese, have a family history of Type 2 diabetes, are physically active less than three times a week, have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD — now called MASLD), or have had gestational diabetes or given birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds.

But according to the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) study and the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study (DPPOS), you can cut that risk.

The DPP lasted about two years and showed that it’s possible to reduce the risk of full-blown diabetes by almost 60%. How? With intensive lifestyle interventions combining regular meetings with trained professionals providing individual and group counseling, instruction on eating habits, and guidance on increasing physical activity.

The DPPOS followed people for 21 years and found that over the long run, diabetes incidence was reduced 24% through intensive lifestyle changes. 

For me, the takeaway from these studies is, "Don't fight your battle against Type 2 diabetes alone." People who had support from trained healthcare providers and who met in groups to enjoy support from their peers were the most successful.

Talk to your doctor about referrals to a diabetes educator and/or nutritionist. And talk to your posse about working together to increase your daily step (or step equivalent) count.

You can also explore the American Diabetes Association's Diabetes Support Programs and Lifestyle Change Programs at www.diabetes.org.