The Wellness Center's Blog

National Diabetes Month

By: Dexter Wellness Center Staff

November 1, 2022, 10:00 am - Categories: Fitness Tips, News

November is National Diabetes Month – a time when communities across the country team up to bring attention to diabetes according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). This month our blog posts will focus on how being active can support diabetes prevention and management.

Diabetes Defined
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention defines diabetes as a health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy:

Type 1 diabetes is thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction (the body attacks itself by mistake). This reaction stops your body from making insulin. Approximately 5-10% of the people who have diabetes have type 1. (Prevention 2022)

Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body doesn’t use insulin well and can’t keep blood sugar at normal levels. About 90-95% of people with diabetes have type 2. (Prevention 2022)

Gestational Diabetes occurs in women during pregnancy who were previously not diabetic. It usually resolves after giving birth. (ISSA 2022)

Prediabetes means that blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. (Prevention 2022)

Making small healthy lifestyle changes can help prevent type 2 diabetes and even reverse prediabetes. Here are 3 recommendations from NIDDK:

Move More
5 days a week, schedule at least 30 minutes of physical activity. If you’re unsure how to start, explore our personal training options.

Make Healthier Food Choices
Meals should include a balance of vegetables, protein, and carbohydrates. Choose foods that are high in fiber and low in fat and sugar. Drink water instead of sweetened drinks.

Seek a Supportive Community
Talk to your doctor about making lifestyle changes that can support your health goals. A medical-fitness facility can offer the programs, services, staff, and equipment needed for your customized plan. (Diseases 2022)

Need help with your workout plan? We can help! Please stop by the Member Services desk to get started on your fitness journey.

MyFitRx® 8-week Pathways

Diabetes Fitness
Encourages management of prediabetes and type 1 and type 2 diabetes by balancing physical activity levels and promoting healthy habits.

REFERENCES: 
Diseases, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney. 2022. National Diabetes Month. September. Accessed September 29, 2022. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/community-health-outreach/national-diabetes-month.

Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and. 2022. What is Diabetes? July 7. Accessed September 28, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetes.html.