Awareness and intervention status of prediabetes among Chinese adults: implications from a community-based investigation

With the rapid changes in lifestyle of China, the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes is increasing. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of prediabetes and study the disease awareness of prediabetes in a Southern China community. Furthermore, it also aimed to investigate the intervention status of lifestyle changes for pre-diabetes prevention. 881 adults without diabetes mellitus were recruited from the Suzhou community of China in 2012-2013. Self-report questionnaires including demographics, Disease Awareness Scale, Willingness on Lifestyle Changes for Prediabetes Cure Scale were collected. The results showed that 16.8% were in prediabetes, and 38.5% of them knew they had it. Young age, non-smoking, high education level, low BMI, and receiving provider advice were found with less possibility to have prediabetes in Chinese adults. Less than a third of those reported with the knowledge of that pre-diabetes is a risk factor of developing Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease. Less a half of the population with prediabetes may take steps in lifestyle changes for pre-diabetes prevention. It is necessary to call for action on the improvement of disease awareness and promotion of healthy behaviors to prevent the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes in Chinese adults.