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9.7: Diabetes

  • Page ID
    158806
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    As we have learned, diabetes is a disease when your blood glucose levels, which is also referred to as blood sugar, is too high. Our blood glucose is the main source of energy coming from what you eat. Diabetes is a chronic health condition that has three main types: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. For the purpose of this chapter, we will be focused on type 1 and type 2 diabetes. 90-95% of individuals with diabetes have type 2.

    The CDC reports that diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States. This is concerning because 1 in 5 of the 38 million adults that have diabetes do not know that they have it. Diabetes has lasting serious effects including being the number one cause of kidney failure, lower-limb amputations, and adult blindness. The number of people in the United States with diabetes continues to rise having more than doubled in the last 20 years. This leads to $413 billion dollars per year for health care costs and lost work and wages in individuals with diabetes. These statistics do not include the prediabetics. 1 in 3 adults in the United States have prediabetes with 8 out of 10 people not aware that they are. This is concerning because prediabetes increases a person’s risk for chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

    Researchers do not know how type 1 diabetes can be prevented; however, we do know that type 2 diabetes can be prevented through lifestyle changes.

    You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you are not physically active and are overweight or obese. Extra weight sometimes causes insulin resistance and is common in people with type 2 diabetes. The location of body fat on a person also makes a difference. Extra belly fat is linked to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and heart and blood vessel disease.

    Research such as the Diabetes Prevention Program shows that you can do a lot to reduce your chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Here are some things you can change to lower your risk:

    • Lose weight and keep it off. You may be able to prevent or delay diabetes by losing 5 to 7 percent of your starting weight.1 For instance, if you weigh 200 pounds, your goal would be to lose about 10 to 14 pounds.
    • Move more. Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days a week. If you have not been active, talk with your health care professional about which activities are best. Start slowly to build up to your goal.
    • Eat healthy foods most of the time. Eat smaller portions to reduce the amount of calories you eat each day and help you lose weight. Choosing foods with less fat is another way to reduce calories. Drink water instead of sweetened beverages.

    This page titled 9.7: Diabetes was last modified on Sun, 04 Oct 2026 22:21:39 GMT and is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Jennifer O’Connor.

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