At what age should adults be screened for diabetes if they are overweight and have risk factors?

The recommendation to begin screening for diabetes in adults who are overweight and have additional risk factors starts at age 45. This is based on guidelines from organizations such as the American Diabetes Association. Adults at this age commonly begin to experience increased risk for type 2 diabetes due to factors like age-related changes in body composition and metabolic processes.

The rationale for starting screening at age 45 is that many individuals may not exhibit symptoms of diabetes during the early stages of the disease. By screening at this age, it allows for early detection and intervention, which can significantly improve long-term health outcomes.

The factors that should prompt screening include being overweight (having a body mass index of 25 or higher), having a family history of diabetes, being physically inactive, belonging to a high-risk ethnic group, having a history of gestational diabetes, or having hypertension and abnormal cholesterol levels. These risk factors, combined with being 45 years or older, lead to a high prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes, making early detection crucial.

Younger adults—such as those at age 30 or 40—may not generally be encouraged to screen unless they have a higher risk profile or present additional compelling risk factors, as diabetes is considerably less prevalent in this age group without such factors