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National Strategies for Prevention of Diabetes

Diabetes is characterized by blood glucose problems, and it's preventable in the majority of cases. Some diabetics, usually those with Type 1, require daily insulin shots to stay alive. Diabetes brings with it complications which affect almost every bodily system if it's not taken care of. Because of all these factors, there are many national programs to educate about diabetes prevention.

  1. Education

    • The first step in any strategy for diabetes prevention is education. The National Diabetes Education Program educates Americans about how to reduce the occurrence of diabetes and cut down on the number of deaths from the disease.

      The agency suggests that you learn everything you can about the risk factors of the disease, which include obesity, poor diet, lack of exercise, and family history. Then arm yourself with information about how to prevent diabetes before it starts.

    Healthy Eating

    • Another national program which focuses on helping you lower your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes is CheckUp America. The program is part of the American Diabetes Association. Organizers say one of the most important things you can do is practice healthy eating.

      The Mayo Clinic recommends you create your own meal plan to keep your blood sugar in check. Watch how many sugary and high-carb foods you eat at each meal and pay close attention to your portion sizes. Add more fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your diet. Fresh fruits and veggies are always best, but you can substitute canned or frozen in a pinch. Instead of regular pasta, look for whole grain pasta instead. When you shop for meat, look for leaner cuts, and don't buy as much junk food. You're less likely to eat it if it's not in your house.

    Exercise

    • It's also important to have an exercise routine. The CheckUp America program recommends four types of physical activity. Those include regular daily activity, aerobic exercise like swimming, strength training, and flexibility or stretching exercises. Living an active lifestyle and working the three types of exercise into your weekly routine will give you a balanced exercise plan.

      Start your daily workouts with 5 to 10 minutes of stretching. Then switch to either aerobic or strength training. Thirty minutes of aerobics is a good amount to aim for, although you'll want to start smaller if you haven't been active much lately. Aim for about 20 minutes of strength training.

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