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In 2018, African American adults were 60 percent more likely than caucasian to be diagnosed with diabetes by a physician.

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A study found that biological risk factors including weight and fat around the abdomen are primarily responsible for higher rates of diabetes for  African Americans compared to White Americans.

This study states  that making positive changes to your diet, like losing excess weight, and eating healthier can help reduce the racial health disparity for developing diabetes.

Sources: https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/

https://www.nih.gov/

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The reason African Americans have been found to have diabetes more than white Americans all lies in genes that have been passed down from generation to generation. Genetic traits, the prevalence of obesity, and insulin resistance all contribute to the risk of diabetes in the African American community.

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I think this can be stopped by knowing your family's history and taking account of what you put in your body. I also think staying in shape and healthy will make a change

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People in one large study reduced their risk of developing diabetes by almost 60% after losing approximately 7% of their body weight with changes in exercise and diet. The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with prediabetes lose at least 7% to 10% of their body weight to prevent disease progression.

source:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-prevention/art-20047639#:~:text=People%20in%20one%20large%20study,weight%20to%20prevent%20disease%20progression.

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Diabetes prevention: 5 tips for taking control

Changing your lifestyle could be a big step toward diabetes prevention - and it's never too late to start. Consider these tips.
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Lifestyle changes can help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease. Prevention is especially important if you're currently at an increased risk of type 2 diabetes because of excess weight or obesity, high cholesterol, or a family history of diabetes.

If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes - high blood sugar that doesn't reach the threshold of a diabetes diagnosis - lifestyle changes can prevent or delay the onset of disease.

Making a few changes in your lifestyle now may help you avoid the serious health complications of diabetes in the future, such as nerve, kidney and heart damage. It's never too late to start.

1. Lose extra weight

Losing weight reduces the risk of diabetes. People in one large study reduced their risk of developing diabetes by almost 60&percnt; after losing approximately 7&percnt; of their body weight with changes in exercise and diet.

The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with prediabetes lose at least 7&percnt; to 10&percnt; of their body weight to prevent disease progression. More weight loss will translate into even greater benefits.

Set a weight-loss goal based on your current body weight. Talk to your doctor about reasonable short-term goals and expectations, such as a losing 1 to 2 pounds a week.

2. Be more physically active

There are many benefits to regular physical activity. Exercise can help you:

Lose weight

Lower your blood sugar

Boost your sensitivity to insulin - which helps keep your blood sugar within a normal range

Goals for most adults to promote weight loss and maintain a healthy weight include:

Aerobic exercise. Aim for 30 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise - such as brisk walking, swimming, biking or running - on most days for a total of at least 150 minutes a week.

Resistance exercise. Resistance exercise - at least 2 to 3 times a week - increases your strength, balance and ability to maintain an active life. Resistance training includes weightlifting, yoga and calisthenics.

Limited inactivity. Breaking up long bouts of inactivity, such as sitting at the computer, can help control blood sugar levels. Take a few minutes to stand, walk around or do some light activity every 30 minutes.

3. Eat healthy plant foods

Plants provide vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates in your diet. Carbohydrates include sugars and starches - the energy sources for your body - and fiber. Dietary fiber, also known as roughage or bulk, is the part of plant foods your body can't digest or absorb.

Fiber-rich foods promote weight loss and lower the risk of diabetes. Eat a variety of healthy, fiber-rich foods, which include:

Fruits, such as tomatoes, peppers and fruit from trees

Nonstarchy vegetables, such as leafy greens, broccoli and cauliflower

Legumes, such as beans, chickpeas and lentils

Whole grains, such as whole-wheat pasta and bread, whole-grain rice, whole oats, and quinoa

The benefits of fiber include:

Slowing the absorption of sugars and lowering blood sugar levels

Interfering with the absorption of dietary fat and cholesterol

Managing other risk factors that affect heart health, such as blood pressure and inflammation

Helping you eat less because fiber-rich foods are more filling and energy rich

Avoid foods that are "bad carbohydrates" - high in sugar with little fiber or nutrients: white bread and pastries, pasta from white flour, fruit juices, and processed foods with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup.

4. Eat healthy fats

Fatty foods are high in calories and should be eaten in moderation. To help lose and manage weight, your diet should include a variety of foods with unsaturated fats, sometimes called "good fats."

Unsaturated fats - both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats - promote healthy blood cholesterol levels and good heart and vascular health. Sources of good fats include:

Olive, sunflower, safflower, cottonseed and canola oils

Nuts and seeds, such as almonds, peanuts, flaxseed and pumpkin seeds

Fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna and cod

Saturated fats, the "bad fats," are found in dairy products and meats. These should be a small part of your diet. You can limit saturated fats by eating low-fat dairy products and lean chicken and pork.

5. Skip fad diets and make healthier choices

Many fad diets - such as the glycemic index, paleo or keto diets - may help you lose weight. There is little research, however, about the long-term benefits of these diets or their benefit in preventing diabetes.

Your dietary goal should be to lose weight and then maintain a healthier weight moving forward. Healthy dietary decisions, therefore, need to include a strategy that you can maintain as a lifelong habit. Making healthy decisions that reflect some of your own preferences for food and traditions may be beneficial for you over time.

One simple strategy to help you make good food choices and eat appropriate portions sizes is to divide up your plate. These three divisions on your plate promote healthy eating:

One-half: fruit and nonstarchy vegetables

One-quarter: whole grains

One-quarter: protein-rich foods, such as legumes, fish or lean meats

When to see your doctor

The American Diabetes Association recommends routine screening with diagnostic tests for type 2 diabetes for all adults age 45 or older and for the following groups:

People younger than 45 who are overweight or obese and have one or more risk factors associated with diabetes

Women who have had gestational diabetes

People who have been diagnosed with prediabetes

Children who are overweight or obese and who have a family history of type 2 diabetes or other risk factors

Share your concerns about diabetes prevention with your doctor. He or she will appreciate your efforts to prevent diabetes and may offer additional suggestions based on your medical history or other factors.

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Show references

1. Robertson RP. Prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 12, 2021.

2. American Diabetes Association. Prevention or delay of type 2 diabetes: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes - 2021. Diabetes Care. 2021; doi:10.2337/dc21-S003.

3. Diabetes mellitus. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/endocrine-and-metabolic-disorders/diabetes-mellitus-and-disorders-of-carbohydrate-metabolism/diabetes-mellitus-dm. Accessed April 14, 2021.

4. American Diabetes Association. Facilitating behavior change and well-being to improve health outcomes: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes - 2021. Diabetes Care. 2021; doi:10.2337/dc21-S005.

5. Your game plan to prevent type 2 diabetes. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/all-content. Accessed April 8, 2021.

6. Melmed S, et al. Therapeutics of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed April 8, 2021.

7. Interactive Nutrition Facts label: Dietary fiber. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/interactivenutritionfactslabel/dietary-fiber.cfm. Accessed April 16, 2021.

8. 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov. Accessed April 16, 2021.

9. Interactive Nutrition Facts label: Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/interactivenutritionfactslabel/fat.cfm. Accessed April 16, 2021.

10. American Diabetes Association. Classification and diagnosis of diabetes: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes - 2021. Diabetes Care. 2021; doi:10.2337/dc21-S002.

See more In-depth

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Diabetes prevention: 5 tips for taking control

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Diabetes prevention is in your hands. Learn how five lifestyle changes related to physical activity and healthy food choices can help.