It's important to find out early if you have type 2 diabetes or if you are at risk of developing it. To find out if you're at risk, check off each item that applies to you.

• I am overweight or obese. Talk with your health care provider to figure out if you are overweight or obese. (Obesity is measured with a body mass index (BMI), which shows the relationship of weight to height.
• I have a parent, brother, or sister with diabetes.
• My family background is African American, American Indian, Asian American, Latino, or Pacific Islander.
• My blood pressure is 140/90 or higher, or I have been told I have high blood pressure.
• My cholesterol is not normal. My HDL or "good" cholesterol is less than 50 or my triglycerides are 250 or higher.
• I am not very active. I exercise less than three times each week.

Talk to your health care provider about the risks that you checked off. If you are age 45 or older, also talk to your health care provider about getting tested for type 2 diabetes. If your test result is normal, you should then be tested every three years. People younger than age 45 who are overweight or obese and checked off any of the items above should also talk to their health care provider about getting tested for diabetes.