September 13, 2018
Diabetes prevention or control may not be something that everyone thinks about, but we should…
1 out of every 11 adults have diabetes and 1 out of every 4 of those do not know they have it! As for prediabetes (blood sugar higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes), 1 out of 3 adults have prediabetes and 9 out of 10 of them DO NOT KNOW they have prediabetes!!! What’s worse, without weight loss and moderate physical activity (through lifestyle changes) 15-30% of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years. It is estimated that 1 out of 3 people will develop type 2 diabetes in their lifetime. (CDC)
The Lawrence County Health Action Team, our local health coalition, would like to inform you of available local resources.
The Lawrence County Health Department offers a class through the CDC called the National Diabetes Prevention Program. This is a year-long class where those at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes learn together to make lifestyle changes to increase activity, make healthy eating choices, lose weight and, in many cases, prevent or delay Type 2 Diabetes. Not sure if you are at high risk? Go to any of the following sites to take a quick risk assessment test:
https://doihaveprediabetes.org/
http://www.diabetes.org/are-you-at-risk/diabetes-risk-test/ https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/pdf/prediabetestest.pdf
While the next Diabetes Prevention class is scheduled to start at the beginning of 2019, if enough people are interested a new class may begin anytime. If you get a group of at least 10 committed participants we can even come to you at your chosen location and time! This is a great option for coworkers. Here are some quotes from past participants:
“I was surprised to learn I had Prediabetes. I knew I had to do something. This class has helped me learn the changes I can make and the support, accountability and encouragement to do so. Now, I have reversed my Prediabetes and am preventing Type 2 Diabetes every day!” -T.P.
“I knew I wasn’t eating right and wasn’t active enough. But being in this group showed me little things I could easily do. After so many little changes, I started to see big changes in my weight!” -P.H.
“I entered the class with a BMI of 32. At the end of the year it was down to 26. It was very informative and I am thankful to have been a part of the class.” -J.T.
Call Ashley Wilks at 606-638-9500 for more details, see if you qualify or to register.
Have you already been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes? It’s important to know what you can do to better control your diabetes to prevent other conditions and complications that it can bring. Kentucky Homeplace offers a new 6 session course to help you take charge of your Type 2 Diabetes. In these workshops you will learn tools to manage your type 2 Diabetes and the importance of healthy eating, developing an active lifestyle, taking medications and reducing health risks. This is also a class series that can begin as soon as there is enough interest. For more information or to register call Angela McGuire at 606-638-1079. You may also call Angela for more information about Chronic Disease Self-Management classes and Diabetic Shoe Clinics.
Lawrence County Health Action Team also offers a Healthy Living with Diabetes Support Group. Meetings are the second Monday of each month at 5:00pm at the Lawrence County Cooperative Extension Office. You do not need to be diagnosed with diabetes to attend. You can attend as a support person or if you just want more information on healthy living. Join us for various speakers and topics about healthy living while encouraging each other in healthy choices. Please call 606-673-9495 or 606-638-9500 to be added to our mailing list and for more information or updates. (Note: The October 2018 meeting will be a visit to a local resource, not at the usual location. Call for details.)
These and other diabetes resources can be found on the Kentucky Diabetes Resource Directory at https://prd.chfs.ky.gov/KYDiabetesResources/
