Type 2 diabetes can be prevented
Numerous studies have shown that adopting a healthy lifestyle is effective at preventing or delaying type 2 diabetes in those at high risk. It is important for all people to adopt a healthy lifestyle, not just those aiming to prevent diabetes. Yet while most of us know the benefits of living a healthy, active lifestyle, many of us see it as something that ‘other people’ do.
It’s a common misconception that a healthy, active lifestyle involves a lot of hard work and having to give up lots of good things, when it’s really not like that at all. It is true that making changes to your lifestyle may mean sacrificing some old habits that may not be particularly beneficial or introducing new ones which are necessary for good health.
The good news is that with some careful planning, it’s nowhere near as difficult as you may think! Too hard? That’s where the Life! Taking Action on Diabetes (Life!) program comes in.
The Life! program assists Victorians at high risk to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes and is available throughout Victoria. It is currently the largest program of its kind in Australia and over 20,000 Victorians at high risk have already been referred into the program.
Consisting both group-based Life! courses and individual Life! telephone health coaching sessions, support to adopt healthier lifestyle habits is key to the Life! program.
Life! program participants learn strategies to reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, with the aim of reducing their weight and waist circumference but also typically report gains in other areas of their lives.
“In 8 months I have lost 12kg and more importantly lowered my blood sugars from 6.2mmol/L to 5.1mmol/L and my success is entirely due to the Life! course and the facilitator. I recommend the course because it started me then supported me in what has been a moderate lifestyle change – but a life changing experience” states one recent Life! program graduate.
“Better lifestyle. It’s the reason you do the course: to live longer with a better quality of life” declares another Life! program graduate.
The first step is to assess your risk. If you score 12 or more on the Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment tool or have a history of heart disease or gestational diabetes, you are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and may be eligible to participate in the Life! program.
To find out more and to order your free type 2 diabetes prevention kit, call 13 RISK (13 7475) or visit www.lifeprogram.org.au
