What does it mean to be called prediabetic by a health care
provider? It means your glucose levels are higher than normal but not high
enough to be diagnosed as a full-fledged diabetic. Ah, you say. I’m good! I’m
not diabetic! But being prediabetic is not good. You shouldn’t breathe a sigh
of relief that your health is fine. A prediabetic diagnosis means you are
skiing on a slippery mountain slope with the threat of type 2 diabetes hanging
over you like an impending winter storm.
Trust me. You don’t want to become diabetic. Suddenly you
are at higher risk for a whole variety of serious health problems like heart
disease, kidney failure, stroke, blindness and loss of toes, feet or even legs.
Yikes! Don’t forget the added medication and blood checks you have to endure.
It’s not a pretty picture and certainly not what I envision my golden years to
include. I want to be as healthy as possible. Don’t you?
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) facts are staggering:
·
86 million adults have prediabetes
·
9 out of 10 people with prediabetes don’t know
they have it
·
Without weight loss and moderate physical
activity, 15%-30% of these prediabetics will develop type 2 diabetes within 5
years
A major clinical research study was done that showed losing a
modest amount of weight (5-7% or 10-14 pounds for a 200 pound person) and
increasing physical activity (150 minutes or more a week of brisk walking or
something similar) lowered the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The body was
better able to process the glucose made from our food and worked better with the
insulin produced by the pancreas.
What followed was that the CDC developed the National
Diabetes Prevention Program. This lifestyle change program is for people at-risk
for type 2 diabetes and lasts a full year. It starts with sixteen core classes
to learn about healthy eating and physical activity. Other class subjects
include how to problem solve, stay motivated and manage stress. The monthly
post-core six sessions are to reinforce and build on what was taught in the
hour-long class. Participants are weighed each week and turn in food and
activity trackers that show what their food intake and activity minutes have
been for the last week.
If this sounds good to you, please get in touch with Harmony
at hkinkle@transformcoach.org
or 248.475.4736 for more information. We have trained coaches who can bring
this worthwhile lifestyle change program to an organization. The word is
definitely getting out nationally. Physician offices are screening patients and
referring them to this proven curriculum. Insurers and employers are adding
this program as a benefit. There is also good news on the Medicare front as the
program will be a covered benefit for Medicare beneficiaries who meet certain
criteria starting January 1, 2018.
With the season of spring upon us, there is the promise of
good things to come. This is the perfect time to focus on healthy eating and
physical activity as we strive for our best health and, in turn, lower our risk
for type 2 diabetes.
Eating healthy:
·
Lowers risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease,
depression, cancer
·
Prevents weight gain
·
Gives energy to do the things you want in life
Physical activity:
·
Lowers risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease,
depression, cancer
·
Prevents weight gain
·
Gives energy to do the things you want in life
·
Improves mental health and mood
·
Strengthens bones and muscles
·
Improves ability to do the activities of daily
living
·
Prevents falls
Take some personal responsibility and start today to make
better lifestyle choices. Strive to eat healthy and get outside in the fresh
air to increase your physical activity. Working together, we can all defeat
diabetes.
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