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Diabetes is personal for me. Most of you who have followed me over the years know that my father and father-in-law died of complications related to diabetes. My father was 53 years old. My father-in-law was much older. November is National Diabetes Month and this year’s focus is on prediabetes and preventing diabetes. The theme this year is Small steps, Big difference – preventing diabetes is within reach.

According to the CDC, more than 1 in 3 U.S. adults have prediabetes that is 88 million people. Unfortunately, the majority of people do not know they have it. It is so important to know your numbers. What is your hemoglobin A1C level or what is your fasting glucose level? You need to know.

Prediabetes is when your blood sugar is higher than normal but not so high that you are diagnosed with diabetes. About 50% of people who have prediabetes will progress to having diabetes if they do not intervene. To prevent diabetes, you have to do something because we know that small steps can truly make a big difference.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) makes the following recommendations:

1. Take small steps – Making changes towards a healthy lifestyle can be difficult. Try making small changes.
2. Move more – The goal is at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week. It does not have to be 30 minutes all at once. You can do three 10 minutes segments. If you cannot do 30 minutes, something is better than nothing.
3. Choose healthier foods and drinks most of the time – Fruits, vegetables and water need to be your go-to food.
4. Lose weight, track it, and keep it off – You will be able to prevent or delay diabetes by losing 5 to 7 percent of your starting weight. Click on Dr. Ngozi ‘s diet plan –  part 1 and part 2.
5. Seek support – Make a plan with your health care provider. Tell your family and friends so that they can support you in your endeavor.

For more information on this campaign to prevent prediabetes, please click here.