Learn how to prevent pre-diabetes at upcoming KDH Diabetes Clinic session
Posted Jan 28, 2010 By Alia Khudhair-Gilmer
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Tweet ThisEMC News - One in three people have pre-diabetes and don't know it. According to the Canadian Diabetes Association up to six million Canadians have pre-diabetes and 25 per cent could progress to Type 2 diabetes within three to five years.
Pre-diabetes is the diagnosis of having higher then normal blood sugars, but not high enough to have Type 2 diabetes. The most important reason for determining if someone has pre-diabetes is that it means this person now has a chance to delay or prevent the onset of Type 2 Diabetes. Research has also shown that some long term complications associated with diabetes such as heart disease and nerve damage may begin during pre-diabetes. Lifestyle modifications including healthy eating, physical activity and achieving a healthy weight can reduce the risk of progression from pre-diabetes to type 2 diabetes by almost 60 per cent.
Following 'Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide' is a great resource to get individuals into the right direction. The key to a healthy balanced diet is to most often select a diet low in fat, low in salt and without added sugar, while increasing your consumption of high-fibre foods. Space meals out four to six hours apart and avoid skipping meals. Aim for balanced meals by ensuring you choose at least three out of the four main food groups at each meal. Have portions sizes that will help you reach or maintain a healthy body weight.
Including high fibre foods such as fruits and vegetables, beans, legumes and whole grains can help make you feel full while helping lower cholesterol levels. Reading food labels and understanding how to read them can also be very helpful in achieving a healthy balanced diet. Reducing your body weight by a modest five to 10 per cent can mean major benefits. This could be a 10 to 20 lb. loss on a 200 lb. person with major reduction in developing diabetes, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. It is also recommended that individuals be physically active for 150 minutes per week. Even activities at a lower pace such as walking have vast benefits in preventing diabetes. Many people tend to become much more sedentary during the winter, however it is very important that individuals find activities that they can do during this time to get the benefits of preventing diabetes.
By 2020, there will be 3.7 million Canadians with diabetes, up from 2.5 million today. Determining whether or not someone has pre-diabetes gives them the opportunity to change their future to one that does not include Type 2 diabetes.
Kemptville District Hospital's Diabetes Education Program offers a * day diabetes prevention program four times per year. This program is for adults who are diagnosed with impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance. It is also for people who are at high risk of developing diabetes. Topics covered in this session include: Basics of pre-diabetes, metabolic syndrome, healthy eating, portion control, healthy fats, weight control and physical activity. The next prevention program is scheduled for Feb. 10 from 9 a.m. to noon. All education sessions are free. Everyone is welcome and a doctor's referral is not necessary to register for this session.
To register, please call 613-258-6133 ext. 155. For more information on upcoming special topics or other diabetes education programs, please visit www.kdh.on.ca.
Submitted by Alia Khudhair-Gilmer, RD, at Kemptville District Hospital's Diabetes Clinic.
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