Prevention

 

Losing weight—at least 5 to 10 percent of your starting weight—can prevent or delay diabetes or even reverse prediabetes. That’s 10 to 20 pounds for someone who weighs 200 pounds. You can lose weight by cutting down on the amount of calories and fat you consume and being physically active at least 30 minutes a day. Physical activity also helps make your body’s insulin work better.

Ask your doctor if you should also take medicine to help control the amount of glucose in your blood.

The National Diabetes Education Program’s “Small Steps. Big Rewards. Prevent type 2 Diabetes” campaign has more information about preventing diabetes.

Latest Prediabetes News
Study pushes to expand 'prediabetes' label

May 6, 2011 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Having normal blood sugar levels is no guarantee against developing type 2 diabetes down the road, according to Italian researchers.

Supervised exercise most effective for diabetics

May 4, 2011 — CHICAGO (Reuters) - Diabetics get the most benefit when they exercise more than 150 minutes per week in a supervised fitness or exercise program tailored to their needs, an analysis released on Tuesday suggests.

Half of Americans facing diabetes by 2020: report

November 23, 2010 — NEW YORK (Reuters) - More than half of Americans will have diabetes or be prediabetic by 2020 at a cost to the U.S. health care system of $3.35 trillion if current trends go on unabated, according to analysis of a new report released on Tuesday by health insurer UnitedHealth Group Inc.

Select news items provided by Reuters Health
Risk & Prevention