Participate on November 17th
Visit www.diabetes.org for more info.
#EatWellAmerica
Join the American Diabetes Association's campaign on November 17th by taking a photo of a healthy lunch and using the above hashtag.
If you search on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook with #EatWellAmerica or #MyHealthyLunch or #HealthyLunchDay you can see some early bird examples.
Although diabetes affects people of all ages, the prevalence of diabetes among older adults is 25.9% or 1 in 4.
Some older adults have been living with Type 1 for decades, but the overwhelming majority are Type 2.
[Note: This post does not offer medical advice. It's purpose is to raise awareness. If you are concerned about your body's ability to produce insulin or process glucose, please see a licensed medical professional.]
The risk factors for Type 2 diabetes include the following:
Modifiable Risk Factors
- Being overweight or obese
- Extra weight distributed in the torso rather than hips or thighs
- Inactivity
- Family history (stronger risk the closer the family relationship)
- Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American, Pacific Islander
- Age. The risk increases sharply after 45
- Prediabetes
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- High triglyceride levels
- Gestational diabetes (women only)
- Polycystic ovary syndrome aka PCOS (women only)
I have two risk factors: Age and Family History.
I am in my mid 50s, and the risk factor of Age will continue to climb.
I have a sister who was diagnosed as a Type 1 in 1980 as a preteen, a father diagnosed about 10 years ago in his late 60s, and a mother diagnosed this year in her mid 70s, Because I have such a strong family history of diabetes, I make healthy lifestyle choices in order to prevent or at least postpone a diagnosis.
I also try to read about symptoms, treatment, comorbidities, complications, and scholarly research.
The American Diabetes Association is a great source of information about all aspects of living with diabetes. If you don't know where to start, try their Fast Facts page.
Related:
HbA1c: Biomarker for Health and Longevity
Nutrition for Our Age
Eat Your Vegetables