Diabetes in all forms is one of the fastest growing chronic illnesses to affect all income-level families across the globe. In an attempt to combat the numbers of cases, World Diabetes Day 2019 aims to focus on the benefits of a supportive family, friend and healthcare network in preventing and managing this growing problem.

In 2017, approximately 435 million adults ages 20-79 were living with diabetes. By 2045, this is expected to rise to 629 million people. While type 1 diabetes (a type of diabetes due to loss of insulin production by the pancreas and typically diagnosed in early childhood) cannot be prevented, but there are many factors that influence the development of type 2 diabetes that can be regulated by a healthy and active lifestyle. Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90 to 95 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes in adults. Most concerning for many is that 1 out of 3 adults has prediabetes. Nine out of 10 prediabetics don't know they have it.

Over 50% of type 2 diabetes cases are preventable. The goal of World Diabetes Day 2019 is to raise awareness of the impact diabetes has on the entire world including patients, those at risk of developing diabetes and patients’ families. In 94 countries, more than 650 events take place today aiming to reach 1 billion people worldwide. 

Know your risk

Many factors contribute to the onset of type 2 diabetes, but one’s weight (especially around the waist), level of physical activity and overall diet have the greatest impact in preventing type 2 diabetes.

Other risk factors that can be associated with type 2 diabetes may include:

•    Family history of diabetes
•    Being overweight
•    Increasing age
•    Poor nutrition during pregnancy

Know your risk of type 2 diabetes with the International Diabetes Federation (IDF)’s online risk assessment.

Prevention

Lifestyle behaviors ‒ including an unhealthy diet and inactivity ‒ are the most influential in the development of type 2 behaviors. However, as randomized controlled trials from around the world have established, lifestyle modification with physical activity and/or a healthy diet can delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Successful prevention involves changing patient behaviors perpetually through the adoption of healthy behaviors that directly improve glycemic control. This often requires a regular healthcare routine consisting of tracking relevant health data and adhering to a specific nutrition and exercise routine.

IDF suggests a healthy diet and at minimum 30-45 minutes of activity, three to five days per week. This could be as simple as going for a daily walk – as long as you are moving!

Other IDF recommendations for maintaining a healthy lifestyle include:

•    Choosing water, coffee or tea instead of sugary drinks like fruit juice and soda
•    Eating at least three servings of vegetables every day
•    Eating up to three servings of fresh fruit every day
•    Limiting your alcohol intake to a maximum of two drinks per day
•    Choosing peanut butter instead of chocolate spread or jam
•    Choosing whole-grain breads, rice or pasta

While raising awareness for diabetes, IDF aims to acknowledge the effect it can have on the entire family. For more information surrounding World Diabetes Day 2019 and diabetes prevention visit WorldDiabetesDay.org or International Diabetes Federation websites idf.org.

How we can help

Maximus sets itself apart from the rest through evidence-based solutions, catering to tracking the wellness and progress of a patient with a hands-on approach. By offering live qualified Health Coaches to connect with, wellness tracking and device integration, results—and documented patient progress—happen rapidly.

Chronic disease management accounts for 75% of the nearly $8 trillion global healthcare cost. With these expenditures on the rise, Maximus offers a new way to approach prevention by offering a therapeutic relationship between patient and health coach. With solutions that include personalized networks for monitoring health progress and routine, we aim to target the problem at its base before the onset of chronic illnesses, such as diabetes.

While we combat the condition on a global scale, Maximus is encouraging families—and people who support our care—to play an active role in monitoring the health of their loved ones. Our families, friends and health team, play a key role in promoting a healthy lifestyle. 

Supporting patients in reaching their goals is the major goal for health coaches. When suffering from a chronic illness, it is rare for patients to have direct and consistent contact with their healthcare professionals. In response, Maximus coaches use motivation, inspiration, tracking, and connected network support to stay consistent and to help them change behavior and lifestyle. The support of coaches and family members are what make the difference in the prevention and management of chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes.

Source: All facts regarding global diabetes statistics came from IDF’s website and their event site at WorldDiabetesDay.org.