Diabetes Awareness

Nearly 40 million Americans currently live with diabetes and every year around 1.2 million more people are diagnosed with diabetes with roughly 1 out of 4 not even realizing they have it. Even more alarming, an estimated 97.6 million youth under the age of 18 are classified as having prediabetes. Discussing various aspects of the disease may provide insight into what diabetes is and how to lower your risk of getting it by living a healthier lifestyle.

Diabetes is diagnosed when higher than normal levels of glucose are circulating in the blood. Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease, develops from the body’s inability to produce or use insulin correctly. On the other hand, Type 1 diabetes (previously known as insulin-dependent, juvenile, or childhood-onset) is caused by an autoimmune reaction, making it impossible for the body to create any insulin at all, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). 

Unlike Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes is preventable. Unfortunately, symptoms of Type 2 diabetes are often discreet, making it hard to diagnose the disease. The CDC recommends getting your blood sugar tested if you believe you are at risk for the disease. Those at higher risk typically fall under these categories:

• Overweight or obese
• 45 years or older
• Have a parent or sibling with Type 2 diabetes
• Physically active less than three times a week
• Had gestational diabetes or given birth to a baby that weighed more than nine pounds
• African American, Hispanic, American Indian, or Alaska Native

Managing eating habits and living a healthy lifestyle can both aid in the prevention of diabetes and help those currently diagnosed with the disease. Effective diabetes self-management includes healthy eating, regular exercise, weight management, tobacco cessation, monitoring blood glucose, medication adherence, and getting support. 

The Harvard School of Public Healthy recommends following these key steps when it comes to diabetes self-management and prevention:

• Control your weight - being overweight makes you 7 times more likely to develop diabetes than someone with a healthy weight.
• Get moving – stay physically active with at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day; working your muscles more often improves their ability to use insulin and absorb glucose. 
• Tune up your diet -
• Choose whole grains over highly processed carbohydrates.
• Skip the sugary drinks, and choose water, coffee, or tea instead.
• Choose good fats instead of bad fats, such as polyunsaturated fats found in liquid vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds.
• Limit red meat and avoid processed meat - choose nuts, whole grains, poultry, or fish instead.
• If you smoke, try to quit - smokers are 50% more likely to develop diabetes than nonsmokers.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact me, (903) 473-4580 or email Sarah.Latham@ag.tamu.edu. To view upcoming events or additional information please visit https://rains.agrilife.org/ or follow Rains County AgriLife on Facebook.

Photo Credit: Prairie Lakes Healthcare System

Area Agency on Aging Programs (Fall 2019)

A few months ago, I would be offering A Matter of Balance program in Hunt County for individuals with advanced birthdays that were concerned about falling or that wanted to start activities to decrease their likelihood of falling.  The first program session was extremely successful, and I am happy to announce Hunt County Texas A&M AgriLife is partnering with the Greenville Fire Department and the Area Agency on Aging to offer a second session.  This program will be offered on Thursdays in Greenville at the Fletcher Warren Civic Center, 5501 Business Hwy, 69 S. Greenville, TX 75402 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am beginning September 26th. 

A Matter of Balance, an eight-session evidence-based fall prevention program, has been specifically designed to help seniors age sixty and older reduce their fear of falling and increase activity levels. Many older adults who develop this fear often limit their activities, which can result in physical weakness, making the risk of falling even greater. Activities are conducted in two-hour sessions once a week over an eight-week period (North Central Texas Council of Governments, 2017). Please join us if you are concerned about falls, have fallen in the past, have restricted your activities due to falling concerns, or have an interest in improving balance, flexibility, and strength.

In addition to A Matter of Balance, Hunt and Rockwall Texas A&M AgriLife will be joining together to offer another Area Agency on Aging program in September, Chronic Disease Self-Management (CDSM).  CDSM is a six-week program was designed by Stanford University to help individuals living with a chronic disease build confidence in their ability to manage their health and maintain active and fulfilling lives. Participants will learn techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain, and isolation; appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance; appropriate use of medications; communication techniques, proper nutrition information, and decision-making skills. If you are living with a chronic disease or are a caretaker of someone with a chronic disease, please join us.  CDSM will be held every Monday from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm beginning September 9th at the Hunt County AgriLife Extension Office, 2217 Washington Street, Greenville, TX 75401.

Both programs are open to all and free of charge; however, space is limited and we ask that you please register by emailing Sarah.Latham@ag.tamu.edu or calling (903) 455-9885.

If you have questions, concerns, or just want to chat, please feel free to call (903) 455-9885, email Sarah.Latham@ag.tamu.edu, or come by the Hunt County Extension office, 2217 Washington Street, Greenville, Texas, 75401.