Better health and ageing for all Australians

Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes Program

Non-interactive diabetes risk assessment tool

You are viewing the non-interactive version of the Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool.

This version is intended for people who rely on screenreaders or are using a javascript disabled browser. If you would like to use the interactive version of the tool you can visit the Interactive Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool page.

The Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool was developed by the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute on behalf of the Australian, state and territory governments as part of the COAG initiative to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Further information on the risk assessment tool, type 2 diabetes and the Prevention of type 2 diabetes program is available on the Prevention of type 2 diabetes program web page.

Instructions

By answering the following questions you will be able to calculate your risk of 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 obtain your score.
Check your score against the three possible point ranges 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

    1. Under 35 years - 0 points
    2. 35 - 44 years - 2 points
    3. 45 - 54 years - 4 points
    4. 55 - 64 years - 6 points
    5. 65 years or over - 8 points

  2. Your gender

    1. Female - 0 points
    2. Male - 3 points

  3. Your ethnicity/country of birth:

    1. Are you of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Pacific Islander or Maori descent?

      1. No - 0 points
      2. Yes - 2 points

    2. Where were you born?

      1. Australia - 0 points
      2. Asia (including the Indian sub-continent), Middle East, North Africa, Southern Europe - 2 points
      3. 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)?

    1. No - 0 points
    2. 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)?

    1. No - 0 points
    2. Yes - 6 points

  6. Are you currently taking medication for high blood pressure?

    1. No - 0 points
    2. Yes - 2 points

  7. Do you currently smoke cigarettes or any other tobacco products on a daily basis?

    1. No - 0 points
    2. Yes - 2 points

  8. How often do you eat vegetables or fruit?

    1. Every day - 0 points
    2. 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)?

    1. Yes - 0 points
    2. 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.

    1. For those of Asian or Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent:

      1. Men
        1. Less than 90 cm - 0 points
        2. 90 - 100 cm - 4 points
        3. More than 100 cm - 7 points
      2. Women
        1. Less than 80 cm - 0 points
        2. 80 - 90 cm - 4 points
        3. More than 90 cm - 7 points

    2. For all others (i.e. not of Asian or Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent:)

      1. Men
        1. Less than 102 cm - 0 points
        2. 102 - 110 cm - 4 points
        3. More than 110 cm - 7 points
      2. Women
        1. Less than 88 cm - 0 points
        2. 88 - 100 cm - 4 points
        3. More than 100 cm - 7 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 one 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 one person in every 50 will develop diabetes. For scores of 9-11, approximately one person in every 30 will develop diabetes. Print this form and take it to your doctor. Discuss with the doctor your score and your individual risk. 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 12-15, approximately one 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. 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.


Page last reviewed: 18 March 2011