ADAGIO HEALTH MARKS AMERICAN DIABETES MONTH WITH
DIABETES INFORMATION AND PROGRAMS
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CONTACT: Linda Mitchell
Adagio Health
412-253-8163
Lmitchell@adagiohealth.org
(December 2, 2005.) The holidays are a particularly difficult time
for many to watch their diet and take time for exercise when confronted
with numerous opportunities to overindulge. Unfortunately,
lifestyle factors such as poor diet, being overweight and a lack of
exercise can put one at risk for developing diabetes. Adagio Health
is urging everyone to learn more about this disease that affects 20.8
million people in the United States. According to the American Diabetes
Association, only 14.6 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes,
the remaining 6.2 million (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they
have the disease. The health risks associated with diabetes include
heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, kidney disease and blindness.
More than 40 million people in the U.S. have pre-diabetes meaning that
they have blood glucoses levels that are higher than normal but not
high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. This condition should be taken
seriously because it can develop into Type II Diabetes. According to
Adagio Health Registered Dietitian Lynn Trenney, those with pre-diabetes
can prevent or delay diabetes by increasing physical activity and making
changes in diet. Ms. Trenney advises everyone to discuss his or her
risk of diabetes as well as preventive measures with a health care provider.
This holiday season, Ms. Trenney makes the following suggestions for
those who are living with diabetes or who want to take steps to prevent
developing diabetes.
Plan Ahead: Choose foods that, for you and your family,
are an essential part of a particular holiday. You don’t have
to completely give up the traditional foods, but try to take smaller
portions whenever possible.
Don’t Go Hungry: Never arrive hungry at parties.
A small snack beforehand can save you hundreds of calories later. Position
yourself far away from the food and eat slowly- you’ll eat a lot
less. Also, wait 20 minutes before considering “seconds”.
Chances are, you will not want more food.
Think 90/10. Completely depriving yourself of treats-especially
during the holidays – is a recipe for disaster. During the holiday
season, aim to eat healthy food and stay within your calories and fat
goals approximately 80-90% of the time. The rest of the time, don’t
worry about what you should or should not eat. Enjoy a treat or two!
Common Sense. Try not to view the holidays as a 6-week
festival. Its really a 6-week time period that includes a few celebrations.
If you overindulged at Thanksgiving, forgive yourself and get back on
track as soon as possible.
For tips on preventing
diabetes or information on managing diabetes, visit the Adagio Health
website at www.adagiohealth.org.
Adagio Health offers two programs to help people prevent or manage
diabetes. Diabetes Self-Management is available to those with a diagnosis
of diabetes and a physician’s referral to a dietitian. Enrollment
is open to men and women of all ages and most insurance plans are accepted.
Participants in Diabetes Self-Management have one-on-one medical nutrition
therapy meetings with a Registered Dietitian in addition to classes.
Topics covered include monitoring blood sugar and how to use the results,
avoiding or delaying complications, problem solving and adjusting to
the diagnosis of diabetes. Benefits can include the reduction of medication
and for those not on medication, the need for medication may be delayed.
Classes will be offered at Adagio Health offices located in Kittanning,
Lower Burrell, McKees Rocks and Natrona Heights (Harrison Township).
For more information or to register, call Adagio Health at
1-800-215-7494,
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and ask
for the Diabetes Program.
In Lawrence County, Adagio Health has been awarded a grant by the Pennsylvania
Department of Health to develop and implement a community-based diabetes
prevention program. To accomplish this, Adagio Health has established
a coalition of community partners known as the Lawrence County Collaborative
for the Prevention & Control of Diabetes. In addition, Adagio Health’s
New Castle Medical Office hosts education meetings which are open to
the community at-large. During these sessions, registered dietitians
provide information on reducing weight and increasing activity—both
key factors in preventing diabetes.
For more information about the Collaborative or its programs,
contact Barbara Jinar at 724-652-3318.
Adagio Health has been providing health care services for women and
families in western Pennsylvania since 1971. Over the years, a number
of programs and services have been developed to more fully meet the
needs of the communities we serve. Each year the agency serves more
than 100,000 people in 23 counties of western Pennsylvania through direct
care as well as health education and outreach. Adagio Health medical
offices offer personalized, high quality treatment, prevention and education.
Also available are nutrition services, community education and adoption
services.
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