Diabetes - Are You At Risk?
Diabetes is a chronic condition that can lead to serious complications. The condition occurs when the body is unable to adequately produce and/or properly use insulin (type1 or type 2 respectively). Insulin is necessary for the body to use sugar as an energy source. The onset of type 2 diabetes may be prevented or delayed, through increased physical activity, healthy eating and weight loss.
Risk factors that contribute to developing type 2 diabetes:
How can I prevent type 2 diabetes?
There are many factors that can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. Here are some recommendations for workplaces and tips for employees:
Workplace Recommendations |
Tips for Employees |
Identify employees who might be at risk
- Have your employees fill out a Health risk appraisal;
- Look at medical claims data and/or pharmacy claims data;
- Collect surveys; and
- Conduct focus groups.
|
Maintain a healthy weight
|
Incorporate comprehensive workplace health (CWH)
1)
Health education ((PDF, 1.23 MB, pages 9 and 10 of 44):
- Skill development
- Lifestyle behaviour modification
- Information dissemination and awareness building
2) Supportive social and physical environment (PDF, 1.23 MB, pages 9 and 10 of 44):
- Organization’s expectations regarding healthy behaviours
- Implementation of policies that promote health and reduce risk of disease.
3) Integration of the worksite program into your organization’s structure. |
Eat a healthy diet
|
Set goals for your program
Example:
Increase the proportion of adults who are at a healthy weight |
Increase physical activity
- Accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week to achieve health benefits.
- Include muscle-strengthening and bone-strengthening activities in your routine at least 2 days per week.
- Find activities that you enjoy and that include your family.
|
Identify strategies to meet these goals that incorporate CWH
Examples:
- Provide healthy snacks in vending machines, in break rooms, and at company events (Supportive Social and Physical Environment).
- Distribute nutrition information to employees (Health Education).
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Don’t smoke
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Evaluate your programs
- Examines both how well the program is working and whether or not it is achieving expected results (PDF, 1.10 MB, 35 pages).
- Build into the planning process and into the budget.
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Reduce your stress
- Get enough sleep and rest.
- Being physical activity is a great way to reduce stress.
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The cost of diabetes
It is estimated that By 2020, diabetes will cost the Canadian healthcare system $16.9 billion a year (Canadian Diabetes Association).
People with diabetes incur medical costs that are two to three times higher than those without diabetes. A person with diabetes can face direct costs for medication and supplies ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 a year (Canadian Diabetes Association).
Facts and Stats
“Approximately 80% of people with diabetes will die as a result of heart disease or stroke.” (
Canadian Diabetes Association)
“Every year, diabetes is a contributing factor in the deaths of approximately 41,500 Canadians.” (
Canadian Diabetes Association)
The number of
Canadians diagnosed continues to rise, and it is projected that it will reach approximately 2.6 million by 2011; an average annual increase of 7 per cent (PDF, 472.84 kb, 8 pages).
“Canadian adults with diabetes are twice as likely to die prematurely, compared to people without diabetes. Life expectancy for people with type 2 diabetes may be shortened by 5 to 10 years.” (
Canadian Diabetes Association)
Additional resources
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