Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes continue to be an overwhelming threat to the health of the United States. Think about a big bad looming over you ready to pounce, but doing it in a secretive way. A way where you don’t see it coming because it takes place over months or years. You may not notice what’s happening to you because there may be no symptoms at all. Then one day your health care provider tells you at an office visit that you have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. Yikes! I certainly don’t like hearing that.
But what are type 2 diabetes and prediabetes?
- In type 2 diabetes, your cells no longer respond normally to insulin and become insulin resistant. You may be able to manage your type 2 diabetes with healthy eating and being active or you may need medication such as insulin or oral diabetes medication to help control your blood sugar and avoid complications.
- Prediabetes is identified when a blood sugar level higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. You can prevent or reverse prediabetes. Eighty-six million adults in the United States have prediabetes with nine out of ten people not knowing they have it. Prediabetes can be stopped before it progresses into type 2 diabetes, but it takes a concentrated effort of changes in day-to-day living.
The risk for prediabetes and diabetes is higher if the person is:
- Overweight or obese
- Has a family history of diabetes
- Age 45 or older
- Not physically active
- Had gestational diabetes
- Is African-American, American Indian, Hispanic, Asian-American or Pacific Islander
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention established the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) to help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. The program is evidenced-based with research showing the lifestyle modifications can cut the risk of type 2 diabetes in half. This lifestyle change program consists of:
- A year-long commitment of participants to eat healthier, include physical activity into their daily lives, incorporate problem-solving strategies to maintain positive lifestyle changes
- A small group setting with others making the same achievable changes
- Sixteen sessions during the first 6 months to provide core learning, eight to ten sessions during the last 6 months to reinforce and build on content
- A lifestyle coach trained by an approved organization
The word is getting out about this program and pushing healthier lifestyles. Medicare and various insurance companies around the United States are paying for the DPP program. Insurance companies may have deductions in health premiums, discounts on gym memberships or reimbursements for being active. Some Medicare Advantage plans pay for Silver Sneakers, a program that encourages older adults to participate in physical activates such as land or water fitness classes.
What will it take for you to eat better and be active on this “Defeat Diabetes” month of April? Do you want not just to be present, but an energetic participant in family activities in the future? Whether it’s to see your kids grow up, relish the wonder of a grandchild or be up for travel, we can all find reasons to take better care of ourselves.
Unfortunately, it is cheaper to eat unhealthy rather than healthy. It’s easier to sit on the couch than go outside and be active. This is where that “concentrated effort” of making changes to our lives comes into play. You can do it, but it takes determination on your part. As I look outside at the blue sky and sun shining on this beautiful spring day, it makes me want to take a walk and breathe in the fresh air. And you know what? I’m going to do it. Right now.
