Soaring levels of obesity in children have sparked a worrying rise in the number of children developing type 2 diabetes — which has traditionally affected overweight adults. Overweight people are 80 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who maintain a healthy weight. Many children with type 2 diabetes are either overweight or obese at diagnosis. Prevention and avoidance of type 2 diabetes is the best option. Being overweight or obese isn’t just about carrying around a few extra kilos; it does pose serious consequences for your health no matter how old you are.
If you have family members who are diabetic you may want to have a blood test done to see if you have pre-diabetes. If the test comes back positive, then there is a lot you can do to prevent or delay getting type 2 diabetes. You can start by making changes to protect your long term good health. These are simple changes such as taking exercise and eating a balanced diet; really just taking care of yourself. You can start slowly and gently. In a recent study, changing habits had a good result in keeping diabetes at bay.
You can still eat foods that you enjoy and you do not have to go on a crash diet: Simply send off for a copy of my Healthy Eating Guide to [email protected]. I have done a lot of research over the 12 years that I have been running our slimming club. The diet that works best is the one that works to make you the healthiest and one that you can incorporate into your lifestyle permanently.
Instead thinking of losing weight think of eating positively to make your body healthy. We all need to enjoy eating, eat healthy food and choose food that we enjoy. It may mean having less food but taking the time to enjoy it more. It may mean grilling your food instead of frying it in lots of oil. Or sitting down to enjoy a healthy breakfast instead of rushing out of the door and grabbing a coffee and donut mid morning.
The other part of beating the diabetes equation that is essential and non-negotiable is increasing some activity. I’m not saying you have to go to a gym, and get hot and sweaty or run a marathon, but your body needs exercise. Your body and cells need activity. In order to work better and get the carbohydrates absorbed into your bloodstream, your body needs to have some activity. So that might mean taking a daily walk and it might mean using an exercise bike or swimming. It might mean sending off for my Mini-Morning Workout ([email protected]) so that you can exercise in the privacy of your own home. Whatever you do you have to do it. Exercise keeps the body and mind healthy. No matter how tired or busy you are you need to exercise every day.
