I remember a lecture several years ago in which I heard an endocrinologist make a dire prediction.
According to that doctor, if we don’t start making some big changes, one third of the U.S. population will have diabetes by year 2030. That number will cripple the healthcare system, and the economy.
Unfortunately, as I’ve worked in the fitness field, I’ve seen more and more overweight adults develop this disease.
In fact, 25.8 million Americans now have diabetes, a group of diseases marked by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both.
Having diabetes increases the chance of developing heart disease, blindness, kidney problems, and nerve damage. And the overall risk for death among people with diabetes is about double that of those without the disease.
How many risk factors for diabetes do you have?
1. Being overweight or obese
2. Having a parent, brother, or sister with diabetes
3. Being African American, American Indian, Asian American, or Hispanic American
4. Having a history of gestational diabetes or birth of a baby weighing >9 lb
5. Having high blood pressure measuring 140/90 or higher
6. Having a low HDL cholesterol or high triglyceride level
7. Being physically inactive—exercising fewer than three times a week
While you can’t change your genetics or past medical history, there is some good news! You can delay and possibly prevent diabetes by losing a small amount of weight (5% – 7% of total body weight) through 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week and eating healthier. For many health tips, subscribe to my ebook.