Diabetes Screenings Coming For Younger Populations
In their new recommendation, the US Preventive Services Task Force has encouraged healthcare providers to consider screening patients as young as 35 for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, and offering or referring preventive services. This comes in response to alarming reports that 3% of all US adults have diabetes, and 34.5% meet criteria for prediabetes. Because this task force makes recommendations for preventive services and screenings that insurance companies must completely cover, it is likely that these tests will become more easily accessible. But what happens if test results show you have diabetes, prediabetes or you are at risk for diabetes?
Exercise & Diabetes
The answer to the question above… listen to what your doctor tells you. They are medical professionals, after all. And when you do talk to your doctor, they will likely tell you two things. You should increase the amount of physical activity you are doing and you should pay closer attention to your diet. They may even refer you to an exercise physiologist like myself, or a similarly credentialed fitness professional.
If you are at risk or have prediabetes, it is imperative to begin prevention efforts. Working with a professional who understands the measurements of fitness ensures that you can track and target the necessary factors. To help prevent diabetes it is recommended that you engage in regular physical activity and eat a balanced diet in order to keep your weight under control. A balanced diet means choosing whole grains over refined grains, skipping sugary drinks and snacks, limiting red meats, eating more nuts, poultry and fish and so on.
If you have diabetes, it is crucial that you work with someone who understands the disease. Because diabetes is a metabolic disease, it responds very well to exercise therapy. Regular physical activity promotes a healthy metabolism and helps to lessen the effects. Becoming physically active, keeping your blood sugar under control and having a balanced diet makes a tremendous difference.
Timing your meals and workouts keeps you safe. Since glucose levels hit their peak within 90 minutes of a meal, it is a good idea to start exercising about 30 minutes after the beginning of a meal; according to a Cleveland Clinic article. Those with type 2 diabetes are supposed to keep their levels at 160 mg/dl within 2 hours of a meal.
With testing becoming readily available for younger populations, we will hopefully see an increase in young adults taking preventative measures. If you are looking to take these measures, or would like to exercise safely with diabetes, contact me.
