Your pre diabetes means you are beginning to have difficulty processing carbs, or to be more precise the glucose that results when carbs are digested.
If that glucose can't be readily used to fuel your body it causes higher blood sugar levels and weight gain because the unused glucose will eventually get stored away.
Depending on which expert you listen to the inability to effectively deal with the glucose is because the fat is blocking insulin from doing its job effectively
Or insulin not doing its job effectively is causing the fat gain , sort of chicken an egg scenario.
Which one is correct is endlessly debated by people more intelligent than me so I only have my own experience to go on.
If I base my meals on healthy carbs like wholemeal bread, pasta, fruit and low fat this and that. My blood sugar levels will increase and I will gain weight, so I get sicker and fatter.
If on the other hand I base my diet around protein, healthy natural fats and leafy green veg and salads. Avoiding starchy carbs and most fruits, the exact opposite happens, my blood sugar levels come down to such a level that if tested today I would not be diagnosed with T2 or pre D, and I have lost weight.