Experts Recommend Lowering Age to 35 for Initial Prediabetes, Type 2 Diabetes Screening

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For adults who are overweight or have obesity, experts now recommend initial screenings for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes be done between ages 35 to 70. Getty Images
  • The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in adults aged 35 to 70 years who are overweight or have obesity.
  • This is a change from their previous recommendation that suggested adults who are overweight or have obesity be screened between the ages of 40 to 70.
  • The goal of earlier screening is to help people avoid developing diabetes and its associated health risks.
  • Prediabetes can be treated with lifestyle changes and sometimes medications.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel of experts in primary care and prevention, announced that they’re revising their recommendations for initial screening for type 2 diabetes and prediabetes for adults who are overweight or have obesity.

The revised recommendation suggests people between the ages of 35 to 70 who are overweight or have obesity should be screened. This has been changed from the previous recommended age range of people 40 to 70 years.

Obesity is the leading risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

They further suggest that patients with prediabetes should be referred to interventions aimed at preventing them from developing type 2 diabetes.

Source: healthline