Session 1-1
Getting Started
What is Type 2 Diabetes & Prediabetes?
Because you are at increased risk of developing diabetes, let’s begin by reviewing some essential facts.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
When you eat, your body breaks down certain food (starches and sweet foods) into glucose, a type of sugar.
A hormone called insulin helps sugar leave the blood and enter the cells. This gives the cells energy.
In people with type 2 diabetes, the body doesn’t make or use insulin well. So sugar builds up in the blood and this leads to tissue damage.
Facts About Diabetes
30.3 million people in the United States have diabetes
That is about 1 out of every 11 people
1 out of 4 people do not know they have diabetes
Currently, 1 out of 3 people will develop the disease in their lifetime
How We Diagnose Diabetes
A fasting blood sugar (also called glucose) of 126mg/dl or greater
An HbA1c of 6.5% or greater (this test reflects what your average blood glucose has been over the past 3 months)
A non-fasting glucose of 200 mg/dl or more
Type 2 Diabetes can harm your
Heart and blood vessels, which can lead to heart attacks and stroke
Nerves, which can affect sensation and organ function
Kidneys, which can lead to kidney failure
Eyes, which can lead to blindness
Feet, which can lead to ampulation
Physical and cognitive function
You are more likely to get type 2 diabetes if you:
Heart and blood vessels, which can lead to heart attacks and stroke
Are too heavy (overweight or obse)
Spend a lot of time sitting or lying down
Have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes
Are African American, Hispanic, Native American, or Asian American
Are 45 years or older. This may be because people tend to be less active and gain weight as they age. But type 2 diabetes is also on the rise among young people.
Had diabetes while you were pregnant (gestational diabetes)
What is Prediabetes?
Prediabetes means that your blood sugar is higher than normal but it’s not high enough to be type 2 diabetes. In most people prediabetes is the earliest recognizable stage in the development of diabetes.
How We Diagnose Prediabetes
- A fasting glucose level between 100 and 125 mg/dl and/or an HbA1c of 5.7-6.4%.
- More than 1 in 3 American adults has prediabetes.
- 9 out of 10 people with prediabetes don’t know they have it.
- Without weight loss and moderate physical activity, 15-30% of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years.
If you have prediabetes, you are more likely to get diabetes and as a result its complications, like heart disease and stroke.
The good news is that losing weight and being active can cut your risk of type 2 diabetes in half.
UPrevent Goals
By the end of the first six months, your goal is to:
- Lose at least 7-9 percent of your starting weight
- Get at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week
By the end of the second six months, your goal is to:
- Keep off the weight you’ve lost
- Lose more weight if you wish
- Keep working toward your goal weight, if you haven’t reached it
- Keep getting at least 150 minutes of activity each week.
Losing Weight Can
Prevent or delay type 2 diabetes: The Diabetes Prevention Program found that for every 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of weight lost, the risk of development of diabetes was reduced by 16%. As an example if Teo who weighs 200 pounds can lose 10 pounds - which is 5% of his weight and keep it off, he reduces his risk for developing diabetes by about 70%.
Lower your blood pressure and improve your blood lipid (fat) levels
Ease sleep problems, arthritis, and depression
Possibly reduce risk of certain cancers
Lower your risk of heart attack and stroke
Make you feel better about yourself
Getting more active can
Prevent or delay type 2 diabetes: The main effect of physical activity on prevention of diabetes in people trying to lose weight is to help achieve and maintain their weight goal. In the Diabetes Prevention Program, more than 80% of people who met their weight loss goal also met their physical activity goal whereas only 20% of people managed to reach their weight loss goal without reaching their physical activity goal
Lower your blood pressure and improve your blood lipid levels
Give you more energy
Lower your risk of heart attack and stroke
Help you sleep better
Lower your stress level
Improve your memory, balance, and flexibility
Strengthen your muscles and bones
Lift your mood
Reaching your goal weight can therefore:
- Prevent or delay type 2 diabetes
- Prevent heart disease
- Help you look and feel better
- Improve your overall health