WebMD the Magazine's By the Numbers: Prediabetes

Facts and stats on one of the country's top health conditions.

Total health care costs for diabetes in the U.S.: $218 billion.

Estimated number of people in the U.S. who have prediabetes: 79 million.

Total health care costs to cover prediabetes: $25 billion.

Reduced risk of developing diabetes over three years if you follow a healthy food and exercise program: 58%.

Length of time diabetes diagnosis may be delayed through lifestyle or medication intervention: up to 10 years.

Reduced risk of developing diabetes over three years if you take medication to prevent prediabetes: 31%.

Amount of exercise that could reduce your risk of diabetes if you have prediabetes: 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

Your increased risk of heart attack or stroke if you have prediabetes: 50%.

Amount of excess weight loss that could prevent diabetes if you have prediabetes: 7% of your body mass, or 15 pounds if you weigh 200 pounds.

Number of tests available to screen for prediabetes: Three.

Age you should ask your doctor about diabetes screening if your weight is normal and you have no risk factors: 45.

Expert Tip:

"I've found that patients lose weight more reliably once I insist they track their daily food intake. A food record forces you to see what and how much you're eating. Writing down what you eat and adding up the numbers makes you accountable.

Correlating those numbers with your weight or blood sugar levels also helps you see how different foods affect your body. Plus, counting something -- such as calories -- lets you 'budget' for the rest of the day to reach your goal." -- Michael Dansinger, MD, WebMD diabetes expert.

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