WHAT IS TYPE 2 DIABETES?
Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong disease where the body is not able to properly manage the amount of blood sugar. This can happen because the pancreas is not producing enough insulin (a hormone produced in the pancreas which regulates the amount of blood sugar) or because the body is not able to properly use the insulin produced. When blood sugar is not properly regulated, some eye, kidney or heart disease can develop. For more information check the Diabetes Canada website or watch the video below to understand more about how diabetes and our body!
IS TYPE 2 DIABETES COMMON?
According to Diabetes Canada, 11 million Canadians live with diabetes or prediabetes. Every three minutes, another Canadian is diagnosed. In Timiskaming (2011-2014), 16.1% reported being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, by a health care provider.
AM I AT RISK?
There are different things (risk factors) that can affect our risk of developing type 2 diabetes – some of them we can change, other we can’t.
To check your risk of developing type 2 diabetes complete the CanRisk, the Canadian Diabetes Risk Questionnaire.
CAN TYPE 2 DIABETES BE PREVENTED?
Yes. As the table above shows, there are some risk factors related to our lifestyle that we can change and that will help reducing our risk of developing type 2 diabetes and, ultimately, living a good and long life.
- Maintaining a healthy body weight.
- Being active – engage in 150 min of moderate physical activity on a weekly basis. Active Living - where you live, work and play - Adults
- Eating healthy – incorporate vegetables, fruits and whole grains in your diet, as well as healthy fats, and eat less sugar, fat, salt and calorie dense foods. For more information check the latest Canada’s Food Guide!
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