On March 25, 2025, the U.S. observed Diabetes Alert Day, a reminder of the growing importance of awareness regarding diabetes, a disease that disrupts the body’s ability to regulate sugar. Left untreated, diabetes can lead to severe health complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, vision loss, and nerve damage.
Dr. Kwame Akoto, an internal medicine physician at Kaiser Permanente, explained that while there are several types of diabetes, Type 2 is the most common, often developing gradually. Factors contributing to Type 2 diabetes include genetics, family history, aging, diet, and fitness levels.
Recent advancements in research have helped doctors better understand the progression of diabetes, and efforts are being made to prevent its onset. A key early warning sign is prediabetes, a condition where blood sugar levels are elevated but not yet high enough to meet the criteria for diabetes.
Dr. Akoto highlighted that prediabetes typically goes unnoticed due to the lack of symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 38% of American adults—around 96 million people—are affected by prediabetes, with about 80% of them unaware of their condition. In Washington D.C., about 3,000 adults are diagnosed with diabetes annually, while Maryland and Virginia report roughly 28,000 and 40,000 diagnoses per year, respectively.
To identify prediabetes, blood glucose levels are tested to determine whether they are higher than normal but not yet at diabetic levels. Common screening methods include fasting plasma glucose tests or the Hemoglobin A1c test, which provides an average blood sugar level over the past 8 to 12 weeks. Dr. Akoto also emphasized that adults aged 35 to 70 who are overweight or obese should be screened regularly.
Despite the alarming statistics, a prediabetes diagnosis does not automatically lead to Type 2 diabetes. Dr. Akoto pointed out that significant lifestyle changes can help prevent the condition. Research shows that losing 5% to 7% of body weight can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by 58%. Regular physical activity, such as walking, cycling, or resistance training for at least 150 minutes per week, along with a diet rich in fiber from fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, is key to reducing the risk.
Kaiser Permanente offers a year-round Diabetes Prevention Program that aims to help participants reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes. As Diabetes Alert Day raises awareness, it serves as a critical reminder of the importance of early detection and preventive action in managing diabetes.
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