Is Diabetes Sneaking Up on Us?

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Diabetes continues to be a growing health threat. In 2003 the number of Americans with diabetes rose to an all-time estimated high of 18.2 million. This condition also continues to be the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

Personal fitness trainers are tremendously important in fighting the diabetes epidemic. Your work toward helping clients exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet can significantly reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

However, a recent survey from the American Diabetes Association found that even though more than half of overweight or obese respondents knew that being overweight/obese was a leading risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, an alarming 59 percent of these individuals maintained they were not at personal risk for the disease.

How can you help? Make sure your clients are educated. The survey showed that many people underestimated by 1 day or more the frequency of exercise required to gain a health benefit. (Research has shown that exercising at least 5 times a week for at least 30 minutes each time can provide a health benefit and can even help delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes in people at risk.)

Interestingly, the survey respondents tended to overestimate how much weight a person needs to lose to achieve a health benefit. Thirty-eight percent of respondents reported that a person who is 60 pounds overweight needs to lose 60 pounds or more to achieve a health benefit. According to the Diabetes Prevention Program, an overweight or obese individual needs to lose only 5 to 7 percent of his or her weight to achieve a health benefit.

To learn more see www.diabetes.org, and call toll free (800) DIABETES, (800) 342-2383.motivation