GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Every year the American Diabetes Association and community comes together to raise awareness about diabetes in the U.S.
Millions of people are at risk. Nurse Practitioner Susan Owen with Mercy Health Physician Partners Diabetes & Endocrine Center sat down with 13 ON YOUR SIDE to discuss diabetes and preventative care. She explained that one-in-three people are prediabetic, and therefore at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Prediabetes is a condition where people have higher than normal glucose levels in the blood. But those levels aren't high enough to diagnose diabetes.
Nurse Owen also explained that during the time of being prediabetic, people have the opportunity to turn their health around through diet and exercise. "Prediabetes is a window of opportunity to prevent diabetes. By getting a little more activity and making good food choices, such as less processed foods, one can greatly reduce their risk of serious disease." Said Owen.
Risk Factors:
- Do you have a parent or sibling who has diabetes?
- Are you overweight?
- Do you get little or no physical activity?
- Are you over the age of 45?
- Have you given birth to a baby over 9 pounds?
These lifestyle changes are key preventative measures for diabetes, and also reduce your risks of other diseases associated with diabetes, including heart disease, stroke, and hypertension:
- Improved eating habits
- Reduced stress
- Weight management
- Increased physical activity
If you have diabetes and want to join the cause to raise awareness, click here.
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