*Adapted from Women's Health magazine, Nov 2011
Some interesting statistics on weight and diabetes, and its precursor: insulin resistance.
Approximately 15% of Type 2 diabetics aren't overweight, but have additional visceral fat that is not noticeable. Visceral fat is typically found around near internal organs. The reason these people may have developed diabetes may be due to lack of exercise. Even moderate exercise has been shown to lower blood sugar.
Other risk factors may be yo-yo dieting and daily stress. Attempting to control weight by diet alone, without proper exercise is not a long term solution to excess weight.
Scientists are learning that specific DNA may hinder pancreatic function. Sugar can't get into cells, flood the bloodstream and can cause damage to organs.
Another alarming statistic, a whopping 93% of prediabetics don't know they are sick--and these are the very people that can be helped most by diet and exercise.
Two ways to reduce your risk: eat as little added sugars as possible and more unprocessed foods each day. As always, start with small changes to reduce your risk of developing diabetes.
If you are looking to start exercising, talk to your doctor, then join us for the 2012 Tour de Cure bike ride! Tour information can be found at
http://tour.diabetes.com
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