7 lifestyle changes to help reduce diabetes risk

Type 2 diabetes makes up 90 to 95 percent of diabetes cases. It affects more than 37 million people in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Over time, the disease can harm your eyes, kidneys, and cardiovascular system and raise your risk for many other conditions. Every year in the U.S., more than 100,000 people die of diabetes, and experts believe it plays a significant role in thousands of additional deaths.

You can’t control some risk factors for diabetes, such as family history and age. But you can lower the chances of developing the condition by making healthy lifestyle choices. Try these strategies to reduce your risk and improve your health and overall quality of life.