Health Plan of San Joaquin | Focus Your Health | Spring 2019

Prediabetes: Take control It’s more common than you might think. In fact, about 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. has pre- diabetes. Prediabetes means your blood sugar is higher than normal, but not high enough to qualify as type 2 diabetes—yet. Prediabetes is a warning sign. It gives you a chance to avoid or delay type 2 diabetes. Your first steps might be: Check your weight. Losing just 5 to 7% of your weight can lower your risk for diabetes. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, losing just 10 to 14 pounds can help. Start a food diary. Keep track of what you eat, when you eat, and how hungry you felt at the time. Eat healthy foods. Aim to eat a salad and at least one vegetable every day. Choose fruit over cookies or cake. Avoid soda and juice. Roast, broil, grill, steam or bake meat instead of frying it. Get regular exercise. Try brisk walking for 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Walk laps at a grocery store or shopping center when the weather is bad. Take medication the right way. Your doctor may prescribe medicine. Follow the directions closely. And speak up if you have side effects or can’t afford your medicine. Find support. At Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ), we can help you find a local Diabetes Prevention Program to guide you through lifestyle changes to help you eat healthy, exercise, manage stress and stay motivated. Visit cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention or call HPSJ at 1.888.318.7526 to get started. Sources: American Diabetes Association; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HealthReach 1500 Focus Your Health Spring 2019 Standard U.S. Postage PAID Merced, CA Permit No. 1186