Instructions
By answering the following questions you can calculate your risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the next 5 years.
Keep a record of your score as you go and add the points at the end of the assessment to get your score.
Check your score against the 3 possible point ranges (low, intermediate or high risk) at the bottom of the page.
Answer the following questions
Remember to keep a record of your score as you go.
1. Your age group
- Under 35 years — 0 points
- 35–44 years — 2 points
- 45–54 years — 4 points
- 55–64 years — 6 points
- 65 years or over — 8 points
2. Your gender
- Female — 0 points
- Male — 3 points
3. Your ethnicity/country of birth:
Are you of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Pacific Islander or Maori descent?
- No — points
- Yes — 2 points
Where were you born?
- Australia — 0 points
- Asia (including the Indian sub-continent), Middle East, North Africa, Southern Europe — 2 points
- Other — 0 points
4. Have either of your parents, or any of your brothers or sisters been diagnosed with diabetes (type 1 or type 2)?
- No — 0 points
- Yes — 3 points
5. Have you ever been found to have high blood glucose (sugar) (for example, in a health examination, during an illness, during pregnancy)?
- No — 0 points
- Yes — 6 points
6. Are you currently taking medication for high blood pressure?
- No — 0 points
- Yes — 2 points
7. Do you currently smoke cigarettes or any other tobacco products on a daily basis?
- No — 0 points
- Yes — 2 points
8. How often do you eat vegetables or fruit?
- Every day — 0 points
- Not every day — 1 point
9. On average, would you say you do at least 2.5 hours of physical activity per week (for example, 30 minutes a day on 5 or more days a week)?
- Yes — 0 points
- No — 2 points
10. Your waist measurement taken below the ribs (usually at the level of the navel, and while standing)
The correct place to measure your waist is halfway between your lowest rib and the top of your hipbone, roughly in line with your navel. Measure directly against your skin, breathe out normally, make sure the tape is snug, without compressing the skin. Make a note of your waist measurement and score as below.
For those of Asian or Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent:
Men
- Less than 90 cm — 0 points
- 90–100 cm — 4 points
- More than 100 cm — 7 points
Women
- Less than 80 cm — 0 points
- 80–90 cm — 4 points
- More than 90 cm — 7 points
For all others (i.e. not of Asian or Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent):
Men
- Less than 102 cm — 0 points
- 102–110 cm — 4 points
- More than 110 cm — 7 points
Women
- Less than 88 cm — 0 points
- 88–100 cm — 4 points
- More than 100 cm — 7 points
Add up your points
Your risk of developing type 2 diabetes within 5 years*
Check your total score against the three possible point ranges below.
5 or less: Low risk
If you scored 5 or less you are at low risk of developing type 2 diabetes within 5 years — approximately 1 person in every 100 will develop type 2 diabetes.
6–11: Intermediate risk
If you scored 6 to 11 you are at intermediate risk of developing type 2 diabetes within 5 years. For scores of 6 to 8, approximately 1 person in every 50 will develop diabetes. For scores of 9 to 11, approximately 1 person in every 30 will develop diabetes.
Print this form and take it to your doctor. Discuss your score and your individual risk with the doctor. Improving your lifestyle may help reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
12 or more: High risk
If you scored 12 or more you are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes within 5 years or you may have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. For scores of 12 to 15, approximately 1 person in every 14 will develop diabetes. For scores of 16 to 19, approximately one person in every 7 will develop diabetes. For scores of 20 and above, approximately one person in every 3 will develop diabetes. Print this form and take it to your doctor.
If you scored 12 points of more, ask your doctor about having a fasting blood glucose test. Act now to prevent type 2 diabetes.
*The overall score may overestimate the risk of diabetes in those aged less than 25 years.
