Beyond the Numbers: Supporting Older Adults with Prediabetes Through Improved Diet Quality

Summary:

This article explores the prevalence of prediabetes among older adults and strategies for reducing risk of progression to type 2 diabetes. It emphasizes the importance of early screening and highlights that prediabetes can often be reversed through lifestyle changes. The Diabetes Prevention Program showed that modest weight loss, regular physical activity, and improved diet quality significantly reduced diabetes risk by 71% in adults aged 60 and older. The article also explains how nutrient-dense foods and balanced meals help positively impact blood sugar, and how understanding carbohydrate types and food pairings can support better blood glucose control.

Key Takeaways:

• Prediabetes is common in older adults but can often be managed through early screening and lifestyle changes.
• Improving diet quality with nutrient-dense foods and balanced meals supports blood sugar management and overall health. 
• Understanding and modifying carbohydrate intake—especially by choosing complex carbs and pairing them with fiber and/or protein—can help minimize blood sugar spikes.

Related Questions & Answers

• Why is early screening for prediabetes important in older adults?
  Early screening helps detect prediabetes before it progresses to type 2 diabetes, allowing for timely lifestyle changes that can prevent serious complications.
• Why is diet quality especially important for older adults with prediabetes?
  As metabolism, appetite, and nutrient absorption change with age, focusing on nutrient-dense foods helps older adults meet their nutritional needs while supporting steady blood sugar levels and overall health.
• How do different types of carbohydrates affect blood sugar levels?
  Complex carbohydrates digest more slowly and lead to a gradual rise in blood sugar, while simple carbohydrates cause quicker spikes; pairing carbs with fiber, protein, and/or fat can help stabilize blood glucose levels.

References:

• ASA Generations. November 3, 2025.
• Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), last reviewed August 2021. 
• Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), 2025-2026 edition.

Disclosures:

• Michelle Mills, MBA, RDN, LD, is a Senior Nutrition Scientist and Carley Rusch, PhD, RDN, LDN, is a Medical Science Liaison for the Nutrition Division of Abbott, in Columbus, Ohio.