CDC: Awareness of prediabetes rose slightly in 2009-2010

ATLANTA — The percentage of people who are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and aware of it has risen slightly over the past few years, but remains low, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the CDC's "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report," the percentage of the estimated 79 million Americans with prediabetes who were aware of their condition was 11.1% in 2009 and 2010, compared with 7.7% in 2005 and 2006. The report also found that younger people, those ages 20 to 44 years, were less likely to be aware of their condition than those ages 45 years and older. Each year, 11% of those with prediabetes who don't lose weight or engage in moderate physical activity progress to Type 2 diabetes. In patients with prediabetes, blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes.

The CDC report was based on an analysis of data from the "National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey" collected between 2005 and 2010.