Diabetes is a major public health problem of epidemic proportions. 11% of the US and approximately 6 to 8% of the world’s adult population have diabetes. 4 out of 10 people with diabetes are unaware they have it, which means they are not being treated with a healthy diet or medications. Uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to complications from head to toe, including stroke, loss of vision, heart disease, kidney failure, and various problems due to nerve damage and circulatory problems, such as erectile dysfunction or lower-extremity amputation.
An even greater number of people have prediabetes (impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, or both), which mean they are at high risk for developing diabetes. With prediabetes, blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. There are 86 million people in the United States who have prediabetes and they are generally without symptoms. Recent research has shown that some long-term damage to the body, especially the heart and circulatory system, may already be occurring during prediabetes. 15 to 30% of people with prediabetes will develop diabetes within five years. Weight loss can prevent or delay this onset.
One in three children born in 2000 is at risk of developing type 2 diabetes (and one in two African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanic Americans) in his or her lifetime, unless there are significant changes in diet and activity levels. Fortunately, type 2 diabetes is largely a disease of over-nutrition and sedentary lifestyle. The disease can be prevented, and complications can often be avoided or treated with a significant change in lifestyle.
The Diabetes Initiative can help prevent and treat type 2 diabetes. The intended audience for this program is people with diabetes, prediabetes (defined above), a family history or risk factors for developing diabetes, and their adult family members. It is also designed to introduce health care professionals to the basics of plant-based nutrition for preventing and treating diabetes.
Featured Class Topics
Introduction to How Foods Fight Diabetes
The Power of Your Plate and Grocery Cart
Understanding Type 2 Diabetes
Designing a Diet for Maximum Weight Control
Using the Glycemic Index
Keeping a Healthy Heart
Diabetes Care from Head to To
Making It Work for You
Interested in offering the Diabates Initiative class at your venue?