Heading Off Diabetes Disability: Lose Weight & Stay Active

Native News Network Staff in Native Health.Discussion »

WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA – American Indians and Alaska Natives develop type 2 diabetes at a rate of two to three times the national average, according to the US Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health.

The Longest Walk 3 - Reversing Diabetes walkers visit the Soboba
Indian Reservation last year to bring attention and
hope to this problem.

A recent study indicates that overweight people with diabetes can improve their ability to get around if they can control their weight and be more physically active.

Researcher Jack Rejeski of Wake Forest University in North Carolina saw that in data on more than 5,000 people over four years. He compared people in an intensive weight loss and exercise program with people who did not take part.

“If somebody can lose seven percent of their body weight, they can experience substantial reductions in disability over a period of a year,”

stated Rejeski.

Rejeski says people can retain the benefits if they remain active and control their weight.

The study in the New England Journal of Medicine was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

posted July 11, 2012 7:00 am edt