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 University of Illinois Extension unveiled a social media awareness
campaign on Nov. 1 to raise awareness and educate those impacted by
diabetes. The month long campaign is featured on Extension's
nutrition and wellness social media platforms.
Diabetes occurs when a person's blood glucose, also called blood
sugar, is too high. Prediabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are
higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type
2 diabetes.
About 90 to 95% of those living with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.
"It often takes years for type 2 diabetes to develop and is usually
diagnosed in adults; however, more and more teens and young adults
are being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes," says Diane Reinhold,
Extension nutrition and wellness educator. "Although researchers do
not fully understand why some people develop diabetes and others do
not, they know excess body weight, unhealthy food choices, and lack
of physical activity are major risk factors."
There is good news; understanding the risk factors and adopting
healthy behaviors can dramatically decrease your risk of developing
diabetes, Reinhold says. For a simple risk screening, check out the
American Diabetes Associations website and use their one-minute
test.
"This social media campaign provides daily practical tips related to
increasing your knowledge about diabetes prevention and management,"
Reinhold says. "In addition, join Extension's 5-week virtual webinar
series, Managing Diabetes in a Modern World. The webinar topics
range from meal planning, setting realistic health goals, and
talking with your healthcare provider to find resources to manage
diabetes better. The Managing Diabetes in a Modern World recorded
webinar series are available online at no cost.
Steps you can take to decrease your risk of developing diabetes
If you are overweight, losing as little as 5% to 7% of your current
body weight can reduce the risk of diabetes, Reinhold says. "For
example, a person weighing 180 pounds could improve their health by
losing just 9 to 13 pounds, which may sound much more realistic than
thinking you need to lose 50 pounds before you can get your health
under control," Reinhold says. Losing weight not only reduces the
risk of developing type 2 diabetes; it will also have a significant
impact on your overall health.
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Weight-loss is just one component of a wellness journey. A healthy,
well-balanced diet can lower risks of developing other chronic health
conditions. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans provide evidence-based
nutrition information and advice. The guides are designed to help Americans make
healthy choices about food and beverages, including incorporating a variety of
fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean proteins into daily
diets while limiting the amount of saturated fat, added sugars, and sodium.
Engaging in regular physical activity is one of the most important things people
can do to improve their health and reduce your risk of developing diabetes.
"Moving more and sitting less has tremendous health benefits for everyone,
regardless of age or current fitness level," Reinhold says.
Adults require at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and
should perform muscle-strengthening exercises on two or more days each week. In
addition to reaching a healthy weight, eating healthy, and being more active,
include regular discussions with healthcare providers.
The University of Illinois Extension Nutrition & Wellness program encourages
individuals, families, and communities to live healthier through online and
in-person skill sharing. Learn about managing diabetes, safely preserving foods,
being food-safe at home, and making healthier choices when shopping, cooking,
and meal planning. Check the website or follow along on Facebook.
[SOURCE/WRITER: Diane Reinhold, MPH,
MS, RDN, University of Illinois Extension, Nutrition & Wellness
Educator]
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