The numbers don’t lie—1 in 3 American adults has prediabetes.
With a little exercise and a change in diet, it often can be reversed. Let’s face it, there are millions of reasons why we don’t find the time to make healthy lifestyle choices. Kids, jobs, cat videos on the Internet — we’re busy. But whatever your reason, prediabetes is real.
Prediabetes means a person’s blood glucose (sugar) level is higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. People with prediabetes are on the road to develop type 2 diabetes and are also at increased risk for serious health problems such as stroke and heart disease.
Prediabetes often can be reversed through lifestyle changes such as increased physical activity and weight loss. The earlier people are diagnosed with prediabetes, the more likely that they can reverse it and prevent type 2 diabetes.
The CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program offers scientifically proven and effective lifestyle change programs that can help you prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
The program can show you how to make better food choices, be more physically active, and find helpful ways to cope with problems and stress.
You’ll work with a trained lifestyle coach and a small group of people who are all working towards the same goal.
It’ll last for 1 year (including meetings about once per week in the first 6 months).
The hundreds of local community partners are required by CDC to meet high standards and prove results.
You can do it in person, or online.
This is a proven program to motivate and support people with prediabetes to make practical, real-life changes, and cut their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by more than half. That’s kind of big news.
Lifestyle Tips
Making changes may seem tough. But remember, even a small amount of weight loss can usually help prevent type 2 diabetes. While not everyone will be able to fully reverse prediabetes depending on risk factors, most people will be able to lower their risk through physical activity and healthier eating habits. If you can’t join a diabetes prevention program right now, there are some things you can do in the meantime to lower your risk for type 2 diabetes. These are the kinds of tips you’ll receive through the program.
MANAGE YOUR WEIGHT
GET ACTIVE EAT HEALTHIER
QUIT SMOKING
Losing just 5-7 percent of your body weight can slow or even reverse prediabetes. For a person who weighs 200 pounds, that’s only 10-15 pounds.
Staying at this healthy weight in the long run is very important to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Being more active and eating healthier are great ways to help manage your weight.
The key to boosting your chances for success is to make a realistic plan and to set realistic goals. Maybe start with one change in your diet and one new type of activity. Remember to take it one step at a time, and stay patient.
For more information on prediabetes, contact the Washington County Health Department.