PREVENTION

(1)
Although there are ways to prevent type 2 diabetes type 1 diabetes is heredity based. In the case of type 1 diabetes a patient can either be born without any islet cells in the pancreas or their islet cells will disappear later in life. Its hard to tell when type 1 diabetes will show itself, it may begin at birth or later in life. Its important that if you are related to anyone who has type 1 diabetes then you get checked regularly.
Type 2 diabetes is much more flexible.Those with type two diabetes have the ability to regain their islet cells and maintain them through a healthy diet. In the case of type 2 diabetes one begins with a condition called "pre-diabetes" where one's blood glucose levels are unusually high(1, Pre-Diabetes). If one catches them self in this stage and start to take action to lower their blood sugar through healthy diet and exercise then they can delay type 2 diabetes from ever surfacing. According to the American Diabetes Association thirty minutes of physical activity a day and a 5% to 10% reduction in body weight can reduce your chance of getting Diabetes by up to 58%(1, Pre-Diabetes). The American Diabetes Association has several tests one can run to check one's risk of getting diabetes.
The most common ethnic groups that are affected by Diabetes are African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Asian Americans. Its important that if you fall under this category that you understand the higher risk and its important to get checked (1, Pre-Diabetes).