Your Family History Isn't Your Destiny By Billy Tart

Does diabetes run in your family? Having a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes does increase your risk, but it does not mean diabetes is inevitable. 

While you cannot change your genetics, you can make choices that influence your future health. Regular physical activity, healthier food choices, maintaining a healthy weight, getting adequate sleep, and managing stress can all help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. 

The key is not perfection. Small, sustainable changes made over time can make a meaningful difference. Knowing your risk is an important first step, especially because prediabetes often has no symptoms. If you are at increased risk or have been told you have prediabetes, UNC Health Wayne Diabetes HealthCheck can help. A new year-long Diabetes Prevention Program cohort begins in late September, providing education, encouragement, and support to help participants build healthier habits and reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes. Your family history is part of your story—but it doesn't have to determine the next chapter. 

For a free diabetes risk screening or to learn about the upcoming Diabetes Prevention Program, contact Billy Tart at 919-731-6807 or billy.tartjr@unchealth.unc.edu.