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19,406 people and 1,263 teams participated in the 2008 WOMAN Challenge!
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Here is what others have said about the
WOMAN Challenge!
"Hi, I had a heart ablation 2 months ago & I want to be healthy for my family so they will be proud of my success!" |
2008 Team Showcase
Team Name:
Madison Movers
Number of Team Members:
23
Team Member Locations:
Illinois,
Virginia,
Wisconsin
"We on the "Madison Movers" team spend most of our days taking care of other people. We are military spouses, family members, friends, military members and veterans. This challenge has given us the opportunity to pause and take care of ourselves so we are rejuvinated in our efforts to work tirelessly for our military members and their families. Comparing our numbers from our daily activities and making the efforts to move more for ourselves is so exciting. We have started now so we are ready for May 11th 2008."
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Weekly Emails & Health Tips
Home > Weekly Emails & Health Tips > May 27, 2008
Diabetes: Reverse Your Risk!
The WOMAN Challenge Newsletter
May 27, 2008
Millions of Americans of all ages are at serious risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes—did you know you can reverse your risk? Healthy diet and exercise resulting in weight loss can dramatically reduce the likelihood of developing this disease. Find out if you're at risk for Diabetes and take steps to reduce your risk today!
In this issue...
WOMAN Challenge Tip
Looking for a way to stay motivated? Start or join a team today!
- You can start your own team or join a team at any point during the WOMAN Challenge, but of course, the sooner the better! Invite your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, to join the Challenge and your team! (Anyone can join the Challenge at any time.)
- Start your team today! This year we've created a page to provide you step-by-step instructions to start your own WOMAN Challenge team. Visit the All About Teams page.
- Want to keep in touch with your team throughout the Challenge? Visit the All About Teams page to learn about different Team Communication Tools you can use to stay connected with your team!
Reverse Your Risk: Understanding Diabetes - 18 and Older
Today, 7 million women in the United States have diabetes, including an estimated 3 million women who do not even know they have the disease. Read more to learn about diabetes and find out if you're at risk...
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
- Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes—about 9 out of 10 people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. You can get type 2 diabetes at any age, even during childhood.
- Diabetes means that your blood sugar (glucose) is too high. Your blood always has some sugar in it because the body uses sugar for energy; it's the fuel that keeps you going. But too much sugar in the blood is not good for your health.
- Sugar needs insulin to get into the body's cells. Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas, an organ near the stomach. If your body does not make enough insulin or the insulin does not work right, the sugar can't get into the cells, so it stays in the blood. This makes your blood sugar level high, causing you to have diabetes.
- In type 2 diabetes, your body makes insulin, but the insulin can't do its job, so sugar is not getting into the cells.
Type 2 Diabetes risk factors & symptoms
Type 2 Diabetes risk factors include:
- Parent, brother, or sister with diabetes
- Family background of Alaska Native, American Indian, African American, Hispanic/Latino American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander
- History of gestational diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High levels of "bad" (LDL) and/or low levels of "good" (HDL) cholesterol
- Fairly inactive lifestyle and/or exercise fewer than three times a week
- Cardiovascular disease
Type 2 diabetes occurs most frequently in people who:
- are over age 45
- are overweight or obese - about 70 percent of women (and 50 percent of men) who have diabetes are obese
Type 2 Diabetes symptoms include:
- increased thirst
- increased hunger
- fatigue
- increased urination, especially at night
- weight loss
- blurred vision
- sores that do not heal
Talk to your health care provider about these and other risk factors. A simple blood test will tell you if you are diabetic or at risk of developing diabetes.
Resources on Diabetes
Understanding Diabetes - 17 and Younger
Did you know that Type 2 Diabetes affects girls now more than ever before? About 177,000 young people under 20 years of age have diabetes.
Healthy diet and physical activity play a huge role in reducing the likelihood of developing this disease later on. At your next doctor's appointment, ask her if you're at risk and what you can do now to help you stay healthy. If you are currently diagnosed with diabetes, check out the links below for some helpful information!
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
- Diabetes means that your blood glucose (GLOO-kos), also called blood sugar, is too high. Glucose comes from the food you eat and is needed to fuel our bodies. Your blood always has some glucose in it because your body needs glucose for energy. But having too much glucose in your blood is not healthy.
- An organ called the pancreas (PAN-kree-as) makes insulin (IN-suh-lin). Insulin helps glucose get from your blood into your cells. Cells take the glucose and turn it into energy. If you have diabetes, the pancreas makes little or no insulin or your cells cannot use insulin very well.
- Glucose builds up in your blood and cannot get into your cells. If your blood glucose stays too high, it can damage many parts of the body such as the heart, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.
- In Type 2 Diabetes, the pancreas still makes some insulin but cells cannot use it very well.
Type 2 Diabetes risk factors include:
- Inactive lifestyle, exercising fewer than three times a week
- Parent, brother, or sister with diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High levels of "bad" (LDL) and/or low levels of "good" (HDL) cholesterol
Resources on Diabetes
Resources if you have Diabetes
- Tips for Teens: Be Active (PDF file, 1.2 Mb) - Being active is really important if you have diabetes. Check out these ideas on how to be more active.
- Tips for Teens: Make Healthy Food Choices (PDF file, 298 Kb) - Learn more about food and how to make healthy food choices if you have diabetes.
- Tips for Teens: Stay at A Healthy Weight (PDF file, 560 Kb) - Staying at a healthy weight is good for everyone, especially if you have diabetes. Set goals to reach and stay at a healthy weight.
- Quiz for Teens with Diabetes - This interactive quiz asks you to think about everyday steps that are vital to managing diabetes and how you can make them part of your daily routine. It's also a great learning tool for teens with friends or family members who have diabetes.
Content last updated May 27, 2008.
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