Chapter 1, Lesson 1

Workshop: Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

What is Diabetes and Are You at Risk?

Welcome to the Health Advocate Preventing Type 2 Diabetes Workshop!

Diabetes is on the rise in the US.1 In 2012, approximately 29 million people had
diabetes and 86 million had prediabetes.2 Are you at risk for developing prediabetes
or diabetes? Do you know what your risk factors are? Read on to learn more about
this disease and what you can do to prevent it.

Diabetes 101 Types of Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition in which the body does not
properly use glucose for energy.2
Glucose, also called blood sugar, is the primary fuel
source for your body. Most of the bodys glucose
comes from food, and is also made in the muscles
and liver.
In order to be used, glucose has to move from the
bloodstream into the cells. Normally, your body makes
a hormone called insulin which helps the glucose
enter cells to be used for energy.
With diabetes, the body either doesnt make enough
insulin, or cant use the insulin properly. As a result,
glucose builds up in the blood, and, if left untreated,
can lead to serious health problems.
There are several forms of diabetes. Lets look at the
differences:
Type 1 Diabetes: The body does not make enough insulin.
Type 1 Diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, cannot
be prevented and is treated with injectable insulin.
Type 2 Diabetes: The body cannot properly use the insulin
it makes. This form of diabetes is usually associated with
obesity, physical inactivity, family history, or a personal
history of gestational diabetes. Lifestyle changes may help
prevent or lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Prediabetes: A condition where blood sugar levels are
elevated, but have not yet risen to the levels required for a
diagnosis of diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes: High blood sugar that starts

How could diabetes during pregnancy and may resolve with diet and exercise
affect you? modifications.
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and
disability in the U.S. Because the disease typically
develops silently, usually without symptoms, many
people with diabetes are not aware of the damage
it can cause. Over time, diabetes can lead to the
following health problems3:
Kidney disease
Eye problems, including blindness
Foot ulcers and amputations
Nerve damage
Skin infections
Heart disease and other vessel blockages
Keep reading!
 Chapter 1, Lesson 1

Workshop: Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

What is Diabetes and Are You at Risk?

Why are we focusing on Why Should You Act Now?

Type 2 Diabetes?
In this workshop, we will focus on Type 2 Diabetes
because you may be able to prevent or manage it
through healthy lifestyle changes. We will go into more
detail about these changes later on in the workshop.
Risk Factors for Type 2
Diabetes
Overweight or obese. High levels of body fat can
cause the cells to be resistant to insulin.
Inactivity. A sedentary lifestyle can cause insulin
resistance.
Family History. The risk increases if a parent or
sibling has Type 2 diabetes.
Age. Risk increases with age especially after
age 45. But diabetes is also on the rise in younger
Americans.
Race. People of Hispanic, African-American, Asian
and Native American heritage are at greater risk.
Gestational Diabetes: A history of diabetes during
pregnancy increases the risk of developing Type 2
Diabetes after pregnancy.
If your doctor told you that you have prediabetes, now is
the time to act! You may be able to stop the progression of
the disease by making healthy lifestyle changes.
If you already have Type 2 Diabetes, controlling your blood
sugar through diet and exercise can help reduce your
symptoms and may slow the progression.
Now that you have completed Lesson 1,
please proceed to the next lesson.
Sources
1. American Diabetes Association. Statistics About
Diabetes. Centers for Disease Control. Diabetes
www.cdc.gov
2. From the National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2014.
3. Mayo Clinic. Diseases and Conditions: Type 2 diabetes:
Complications.

2015 Health Advocate, Inc. HA-WM-1506002-1FLY