Lifestyle Changes Especially Effective at Preventing Type 2 Diabetes in Adults Aged 60 and Older New Awareness Campaign Says “It’s Not Too Late” to Prevent the Disease
Jacksonville, FL About 40 percent of adults ages 40 to 74 or 41
million people have pre-diabetes, a condition that raises a person’s
risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Studies show
that while adults over 60 are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes, losing
a small amount of weight and increasing physical activity is especially effective
in reducing that risk among this age group.
To spread the word that diabetes prevention for older adults is proven and
possible, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) National
Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) launched a public awareness campaign today
called “It’s Not Too Late to Prevent Diabetes. Take Your First
Step Today” at the Yates Family YMCA in Jacksonville, Florida. The campaign
delivers the message that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed.
“It’s Not Too Late to Prevent Diabetes” is part of NDEP’s
Small Steps. Big Rewards. Prevent type 2 Diabetes campaign that targets groups
at high risk for diabetes. Tailored specifically for older adults, “It’s
Not Too Late…” encourages adults over 60 that modest lifestyle
changes can yield big rewards in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2
diabetes.
“We are asking older adults to find out if they are at risk
for type 2 diabetes, and we’re showing them how to take action
to prevent it,” said Dr. James R. Gavin III, Chair of the
NDEP. “Older adults may not realize that they still have
time to prevent diabetes, or that diabetes prevention is even possible.
That’s why the ‘It’s Not Too Late’ campaign
is so important.”
HHS’ Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), a recent study involving
Americans from all over the country, showed that type 2 diabetes
can be delayed or even prevented by losing a small amount of weight
by following a low-fat, low-calorie meal plan and getting 30 minutes
of physical activity five times per week. These lifestyle interventions
worked particularly well in people aged 60 and older, reducing
the development of diabetes by 71 percent.
Florida native Sam Kitching participated in the campaign launch
as a member of NDEP’s Small Steps. Big Rewards. Team to Prevent
type 2 Diabetes. This group of committed citizens was assembled
by NDEP to put a human face on the populations that are at high
risk for the disease. Each member is actively working in his or
her community to demonstrate lifestyle changes they have made to
prevent or delay diabetes.
“I adopted a healthy lifestyle and made the commitment to inform
my family and friends that it’s not too late for people my
age to prevent type 2 diabetes,” said Mr. Kitching. “Even
small steps, like eating healthier foods and taking an afternoon
walk can make a big difference,” he said.
The “It’s Not Too Late to Prevent Diabetes” campaign
includes radio and print public service advertisements, tip sheets,
and posters. Materials are also available on the NDEP website at
www.ndep.nih.gov.
“The YMCA of Florida’s First Coast is proud to be hosting
the national launch of this important public health campaign,” said
Thomas “Trigg” Wilkes, CEO. “We are the community’s
source for programs and activities that encourage people to enjoy
a healthy lifestyle, and we wholeheartedly support the goals for
the ‘It’s Not Too Late’ campaign.”
For more information about the diabetes prevention campaign, free
materials, tip sheets, and the GAMEPLAN for Preventing type 2 Diabetes,
which contains tools to help people lose weight, get active, and
track their progress, visit the NDEP website at www.ndep.nih.gov
or call 1-800-438-5383.
The National Diabetes Education Program, co-sponsored by the National
Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
is a leading federal source of information about diabetes control
and prevention. The NDEP has more than 200 partner organizations
that form a network to reach the health care community and those
affected by and at risk for diabetes at the national, state, and
local levels.
The YMCA of Florida’s First Coast has 16 facility locations
and 65 different program service locations. Collectively, the YMCAs
comprise the largest community service organizations in the United
States and the largest providers of child care. YMCAs are for men,
women and children of all faiths, races, ages, abilities and incomes,
and foster core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
For more information about the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast,
visit www.FirstCoastYMCA.org.
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