a study by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases conducted from 1998 to 2001 in people at high risk for Type 2 diabetes. All study participants had impaired glucose tolerance, also called pre-diabetes, and were overweight. The study showed that people who lost 5 to 7 percent of their body weight through a low-fat, low-calorie diet and moderate exercise (usually walking for 30 minutes 5 days a week) reduced their risk of getting Type 2 diabetes by 58 percent. Participants who received treatment with the oral diabetes drug metformin reduced their risk of getting Type 2 diabetes by 31 percent. - See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/common-terms/#sthash.bIAIhlZA.dpuf

an insulin-delivering device about the size of a deck of cards that can be worn on a belt or kept in a pocket. An insulin pump connects to narrow, flexible plastic tubing that ends with a needle inserted just under the skin. Users set the pump to give a steady trickle or basal amount of insulin continuously throughout the day. Pumps release bolus doses of insulin (several units at a time) at meals and at times when blood glucose is too high, based on programming done by the user. - See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/common-terms/common-terms-f-k.html#sthash.AmYDp93k.dpuf

an oral medicine used to treat Type 2 diabetes. It blocks the enzymes that digest starches in food. The result is a slower and lower rise in blood glucose throughout the day, especially right after meals. Belongs to the class of medicines called alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. (Brand name: Precose) - See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/common-terms/#sthash.bIAIhlZA.dpuf

a study by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, conducted from 1983 to 1993 in people with Type 1 diabetes. The study showed that intensive therapy compared to conventional therapy significantly helped prevent or delay diabetes complications. Intensive therapy included multiple daily insulin injections or the use of an insulin pump with multiple blood glucose readings each day. Complications followed in the study included diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy. - See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/common-terms/#sthash.bIAIhlZA.dpuf

Is a group of specialized cells that release hormones into the blood. For example, the pancreatic islets, which secrete insulin, are endocrine glands. For more information: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/common-terms/#sthash.bIAIhlZA.dpuf

measures the number of blood glucose molecules (MAH-leh-kyools) linked to protein molecules in the blood. The test provides information on the average blood glucose level for the past 3 weeks. - See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/common-terms/common-terms-f-k.html#sthash.AmYDp93k.dpuf

proteins located on the surface of the cell that help the immune system identify the cell either as one belonging to the body or as one from outside the body. Some patterns of these proteins may mean increased risk of developing Type 1 diabetes. - See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/common-terms/common-terms-f-k.html#sthash.AmYDp93k.dpuf

a condition in which a blood glucose test, taken after an 8- to 12-hour fast, shows a level of glucose higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. IFG, also called pre-diabetes, is a level of 100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL. Most people with pre-diabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. - See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/common-terms/common-terms-f-k.html#sthash.AmYDp93k.dpuf

an emergency condition in which extremely high blood glucose levels, along with a severe lack of insulin, result in the breakdown of body fat for energy and an accumulation of ketones in the blood and urine. Signs of DKA are nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, fruity breath odor and rapid breathing. Untreated DKA can lead to coma and death. - See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/common-terms/#sthash.bIAIhlZA.dpuf

The A1C test measures a person's average level of blood glucose during the prior 2-3 months. Hemoglobin is the part of the red blood cell that carries oxygen to the cells and also combines with glucose in the bloodstream. Also called hemoglobin A1c or glycosylated hemoglobin, the test measures the quantity of glucose attached to the red blood cells which is proportional to the quantity of glucose in the blood. More information available at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/common-terms/#sthash.bIAIhlZA.dpuf