1 in 3 Teens Have Prediabetes, CDC Data Shows

About 1 in 3 American teens — more than 8 million adolescents — already live with prediabetes, putting them at high risk for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke later in life Prediabetes is often silent, with many teens showing no symptoms, which means serious damage begins long before the condition is diagnosed Risk is higher in teens who are overweight, eat ultraprocessed foods, or are inactive, but lifestyle changes dramatically lower their chances of developing diabetes When prediabetes progresses, it damages blood vessels, disrupts energy production inside cells, and strains your pancreas until it no longer keeps blood sugar in check Parents play a key role in reversing prediabetes by encouraging healthier food choices, daily movement, regular sunlight, and monitoring blood sugar markers before Type 2 diabetes takes hold