Kentucky residents are disproportionately affected by prediabetes, with nearly one-third of the state’s population living with this condition. Prediabetes occurs when blood sugar levels exceed normal ranges but not high enough to be classified as diabetes.
If left untreated, prediabetes can lead to serious health complications like heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. However, there is good news: prediabetes is reversible, and making two key lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The first change involves losing a modest amount of weight – aiming for 5-7% of your starting weight. For example, someone who weighs 250 pounds could aim to lose 13-18 pounds. Additionally, regular physical activity is crucial; aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, broken down into daily sessions of about 30 minutes, five days a week.
The University of Kentucky’s Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center offers a straightforward quiz to determine if you might have prediabetes. The questions ask about your family history, medical conditions, lifestyle habits, and weight status. If you’ve answered yes to multiple questions, it’s likely you’re at risk – but only a doctor can confirm with a blood test.
UK HealthCare is dedicated to preventing and treating diabetes through cutting-edge research and advanced care. With over 10,000 healthcare professionals and numerous specialized facilities, including the state’s top-ranked hospital, UK HealthCare is committed to creating a healthier Kentucky for generations to come.
Source: https://uknow.uky.edu/uk-healthcare/these-lifestyle-changes-are-key-diabetes-prevention