American Diabetes Month

Candy galore! Soon, the kids will have an abundance of sweets brought home from a night of trick-or-treating. And then there will be all the extra candy leftover from our stash to hand out. It will take all my willpower not to sneak a treat (or two or three) here or there.

I find this time of year so difficult, as so many of us do. We go from one holiday to the next. Thanksgiving is only weeks away, then the holiday season. For us, it’s Christmas then New Year’s Eve then Valentine’s Day. Everywhere I turn for the next four months I’ll be confronted with another temptation—chocolate or cookies or candies or pies! All with enough sugar to send me into a sugar high and only leave me craving more.

Perhaps it’s not an accident that November is American Diabetes Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy.” People living with diabetes do not make enough insulin to allow the sugar from foods into the cells causing sugar to stay in the blood.

Having too much blood sugar can cause damage to almost all parts of the body, from the eyes to the feet. According to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFS; an annual survey of a representative sample of Delawareans), 12 percent of Delaware adults reported having diagnosed diabetes in 2021. This prevalence (the percentage of people with diabetes) has been relatively stable over the past decade. 

There are groups that have a higher prevalence of diabetes. Adults over the age of 45 are at increased risk. Some racial minority groups are at increased risk, including Black, Hispanic, American Indian, and Alaska Native people.

There is also evidence that diabetes may be more prevalent among the LGBTQ+ community. One study using the 2014 BRFS showed that gay and bisexual men had an increased odds of diabetes compared to straight men. However, there were no differences observed among lesbian, bisexual, or straight women. Another study using the Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicated that LGBTQ+ youth were also at increased risk for developing Type 2 diabetes compared to straight youth.

For Delawareans living with diabetes, there are a variety of programs available to help manage the condition. One free option offered by the State of Delaware is the Delaware Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP). This is a six-week program available to those who are living with diabetes or serving as a caretaker for someone with diabetes.

Nationally-recognized Diabetes Self-management Education and Support (DSMES) programs are provided by a healthcare system. Some insurance providers have DSMES as a covered benefit, but this may vary by plan. The Delaware Emergency Medical Diabetes Fund can provide payment for items directly related to diabetes. The total benefit is up to $500 per eligible client per year.  

Maintaining a healthy weight is important in the prevention of many chronic diseases. This is especially true for diabetes. Research has shown that just a five percent weight loss can help to reduce the risk of diabetes. That equates to a 10-pound weight loss for a 200-pound person or 7.5-pound weight loss for a 150-pound person. 

Healthy eating and exercising are an important part of preventing the onset of diabetes or preventing complications if you already have diabetes. Healthy eating habits include choosing more non-starchy vegetables, incorporating whole fruits, choosing lean proteins, and embracing whole grains. Avoiding processed foods, sugary drinks, and excess alcohol also is key. Drinking enough water during the day is also a healthy component many of us forget. 

Adequate physical activity is also important to maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. Finding an activity that you enjoy is the best way to ensure success. For me, it’s dance! 

I admit I’m guilty of not always following all the guidelines to stay healthy and active. It can be overwhelming and challenging to make good choices all the time. However, as I anticipate that plastic pumpkin full of candy, I remind myself that one treat is okay; two (or three)—not so much. Moderating one’s indulgences is key.

I plan to place that pumpkin out of reach of the kids, but also out of my sight. So when I’m tempted to raid the pumpkin and pull out a Twix bar, maybe I’ll grab my water and an apple instead. My blood sugar levels will be healthier for that little bit of self-restraint. ▼

Delaware Emergency Medical Fund information: dhss.delaware.gov/dph/dpc/diabetesfund.html
DSMP and DSMES information: healthydelaware.org/Individuals/Diabetes#knowing
Stephanie Belinske is an epidemiologist and a public health doctoral student at Johns Hopkins University.