DIABETES
GOLFERS
call it a
mulligan. On a movie
set, it’s “take two.” It’s
an opportunity for a
do-over—a second chance
at a better outcome.
Second chances are rare
when it comes to your
health. But that’s one way
to look at pre-diabetes, a
condition in which blood
sugar levels are higher than
normal but not yet at the level of
diabetes.
According to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention,
about 54 million Americans have
pre-diabetes. Many of them will
develop type 2 diabetes
within 10 years,
increasing their risk
for heart disease,
stroke, blindness,
kidney disease and amputation.
Tat’s the bad news. But here’s
where the second chance comes in.
According to the American Diabetes
Association (ADA), people with pre-
diabetes may be able to bring their
blood sugar levels back to normal
and perhaps delay or even prevent
type 2 diabetes. In a key study,
people with pre-diabetes who used
diet and exercise to achieve modest
weight loss reduced their chances of
getting diabetes by 58 percent.
Are you at risk?
For people at risk for pre-diabetes,
screening is especially important.
Screening usually involves having
Kids and sugary
drinks: A badmix
If you want to help your child stay
healthy, it’s a good idea to put a cap on
sugary soft drinks and juices.
Sugary drinks are the main source of
added sugar in the daily diet of children.
They are also a contributor to weight
gain, according to the American Medical
Association.
And being overweight can increase
your child’s risk of developing other
health problems, such as high choles-
terol, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Pointers for parents.
There is plenty
you can do to help your child cut back on
sugar. To encourage healthy beverage
choices, you can:
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Eliminate sugary drinks at home.
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Buy low-fat or nonfat milk.
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Keep water or other no- or low-calorie
drinks in the fridge.
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Be a role model by not drinking sugary
beverages yourself.
By saying no to sugary drinks now,
you can help steer your child down the
road to a healthy future.
Stay well by considering pre-diabetes
an opportunity to take charge and get healthier
a blood test afer an overnight fast.
Te ADA recommends that adults
45 or older talk to their doctor about
being tested. Screening is advised for
all people in this age group who are
overweight.
If you’re younger than 45 and
overweight, screening may be
recommended if you:
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Have a family history of diabetes.
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Are African American, American
Indian, Asian American, Hispanic or
Pacifc Islander.
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Have had gestational diabetes (a
type of diabetes that may develop
during pregnancy) or have given
birth to a baby weighing 9 pounds
or more.
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Have high blood pressure.
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Have poor cholesterol levels.
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Are inactive.
Act now
If you have pre-diabetes, it’s time
to act.
Aim for at least 150 minutes of
physical activity a week, such as
walking 30 minutes a day, fve days
a week. You’ll also want to limit fat
and calories, eat more fruits and
vegetables, and watch your serving
sizes.
Tese fairly simple steps may help
you lose weight and reverse the course
of pre-diabetes. And that’s a second
chance no one should pass up.
The chance
of a lifetime
Steps that work: Being active and making
diet changes can significantly reduce the risk
of pre-diabetes becoming diabetes.
Learn more about lowering your risk of diabetes at
www.diabetes.org
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