Question of the Week & Rationale 

Our “Question of the Week” is created weekly by Coach Beverly to cover a variety of Diabetes related topics. The questions are designed to keep you current and prepare you for the CDCES® Exam.

To sign up to receive the question of the week, download our free CDCES Coach App or join our Facebook Page. 

This week’s Rationale: Question of the Week – November 28th – test your knowledge before seeing answer below! 

What a perfect way to information share and bring new concepts to light. We appreciate our community of diabetes educators and the opportunity to keep learning together! 

Question:

What is true regarding older adults and prediabetes? 

a.       35% of adults over 65 have prediabetes.

b.      Older adults with prediabetes can reduce their risk of getting diabetes by 70% through daily exercise and 5-7% weight loss.

c.       Older adults with prediabetes are more likely to get diabetes than younger adults, even if they engage in daily exercise and achieve lose 5-7% weight loss

d.       Older adults with prediabetes have higher rates of prostate and bladder cancer.

Correct Answer:  Older adults with prediabetes can reduce their risk of getting diabetes by 70% through daily exercise and 5-7% weight loss.

Rationale: Across the United States, about 35% of all people have prediabetes and most don’t know it. 

However, senior citizens over the age of 65, have the highest rates of prediabetes. 

Almost 50% of people over the age of 65 have prediabetes (see chart below).    

The good news is that people over the age of 60 respond exceptionally well to the CDC Diabetes Prevention Program. Older adults with prediabetes decreased their risk of getting diabetes by 70% (compared to 58% for the younger group). They reduced risk by exercising 30 minutes a day and losing 5-7% of their body weight.

Medicare has recognized reimbursing for the Diabetes Prevention Program will decrease rates of future diabetes, leading to improved quality of life and cost savings.  Starting April 2018, recognized Diabetes Prevention Programs can bill for services provided.

Find out more about the Diabetes Prevention Program here.

Click here to see the complete CDC 2017 Report on PreDiabetes and Diabetes Prevalence