Food and family go hand in hand. Unfortunately, so can unhealthy eating habits and type 2 diabetes.
March is National Nutrition Month, so this month and every month thereafter, keep in mind that approximately 10% of adults in Maine (around 116,500 people) have been diagnosed with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association, and an estimated 6,800 adults are newly diagnosed with the disease each year.
About one in three Maine adults have prediabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and many are undiagnosed and unaware. Prediabetes raises the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other serious health problems, like heart disease or stroke.
Diabetes vs. Prediabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition where blood sugar levels are consistently high due to the body’s inability to produce insulin (type 1) or properly use insulin (type 2). Prediabetes, on the other hand, is also a chronic condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. The good news is that prediabetes is reversible with lifestyle changes.
Getting ahead of a diabetes diagnosis
Through the Diabetes Prevention Program, MaineHealth promotes the idea of families working together on their health goals by making conscious lifestyle choices at home and on the go, with the ultimate goal of preventing the development of diabetes and other conditions.
Here are some simple strategies families can use in their daily lives to create healthy meal plans and increase their activity levels:
- Be physically active together: When families can find an activity they like to do as a group, such as pickleball or cycling, it makes fitness more fun and helps keep everyone accountable.
- Cook together: Another group activity can be done in the kitchen. Cooking as a family encourages cooperation and teaches kids how to make healthy recipes when they are older.
- Shop together: Going to the grocery store as a family can make everyone feel included and engaged in eating and preparing meals.
- Discuss food together: Communication is key when building healthy eating habits for your family. Some family members may be pickier than others, but identifying everyone’s likes can lead to unique compromises and a willingness to try new things.
- Choose healthy snacks: Carefully choose the types of snacks that go in lunchboxes and the pantry. A treat is fine occasionally, but continuously eating processed and unhealthy foods can increase diabetes risk.
- Talk about family health history and the consequences of neglecting health: Not knowing the genetic side of health risks is dangerous. Keep track of conditions that have been passed down through generations, discuss with your primary care doctor, and share with younger generations so they can manage and receive care for their symptoms.
The Diabetes Prevention Program at MaineHealth, along with the nationwide program, recognizes that family and community support are essential in making sustainable lifestyle changes, especially when it comes to nutrition and physical activity. In a family setting, shared meal planning, cooking, and fitness routines can be ways to teach healthier habits, help prevent diabetes, and create a supportive environment for making sustainable healthy lifestyle changes for the whole family.
Find out more about the Diabetes Prevention Program at MaineHealth, which focuses on giving people the information and support they need to achieve long-term health. You can also take a test to discover your risk level for developing type 2 diabetes here.
This article is educational in nature and should not be considered official medical advice.