November is National Diabetes Awareness Month

Published on November 09, 2021

Weld County — November is National Diabetes Month, a time when communities across the country team up to bring attention to diabetes. This year’s focus is on prediabetes and preventing diabetes.

According to the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment’s 2019 Community Health Survey, 10.1% or about 1 in 10 adult residents reported they were ever diagnosed with diabetes by a health care professional. That equates to about 19,500 adults in Weld County.

The good news is that by making small, healthy lifestyle changes, it is possible to prevent type 2 diabetes and even reverse prediabetes.

Here are some tips to help manage prediabetes and prevent diabetes.

• Take small steps. Making changes to your lifestyle and daily habits can be hard, but you don’t have to change everything at once. It is OK to start small. Remember that setbacks are normal and do not mean you have failed. The key is to get back on track as soon as you can.
• Move more. Limit time spent sitting and try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days per week. Start slowly by breaking it up throughout the day.
• Choose healthier foods and drinks most of the time. Pick foods that are high in fiber and low in fat and sugar. Build a plate that includes a balance of vegetables, protein, and carbohydrates. Drink water instead of sweetened drinks.
• Lose weight, track it, and keep it off. You may be able to prevent or delay diabetes by losing 5-7% of your starting weight.
• Seek support. It is possible to reverse prediabetes. Making a plan, tracking your progress, and getting support from a health care professional and loved ones can help you make the necessary lifestyle changes.
• Stay up to date on vaccinations. The COVID-19 (including the booster shot, if eligible) and flu vaccines are especially important for people who may be more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 or the flu, such as people with diabetes.