Over 30 million Americans (or more than 9% of the population) have diabetes and 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year. The number is even more staggering in Michigan where over 10% of the adult population has been diagnosed with diabetes. In the US, another 34% of adults over the age of 20 had prediabetes in 2015. Prediabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. People with prediabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and for heart disease or stroke. There are some simple steps that can help reduce your risk of developing one of these dangerous health conditions.
- Weight management – Maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent and manage health issues such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol, and high blood glucose.
- Healthy eating – Focus on creating a healthier plate with fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and leaner meats. Avoid soda, sweets, chips, and other sugar and fat packed snack foods.
- Physical activity – Staying fit helps keep your blood glucose, pressure, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides on target while strengthening your heart, muscles, and bones.
To learn more about diabetes and to evaluate your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, go to www.diabetes.org and access a wealth of information from the American Diabetes Association.