How Wisconsin residents can Take Control of Their Health During Nation

November is National Diabetes Month, an ideal time to assess our health, weight and diets, especially as the holidays approach and many of us look forward to family feasts and Thanksgiving desserts.

Type 2 diabetes and obesity are closely related conditions. In fact, these conditions are present together so often that the new medical term “diabesity” has been used to describe what’s becoming a worldwide epidemic, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

This is partly because someone who is obese is six times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Up to 53% of new type 2 diabetes diagnoses over the last two decades have been linked to obesity, according to the American Heart Association.

A 2023 study revealed increases in the prevalence of diabetes and obesity among U.S. adults ages 20 to 44. Obesity is a costly chronic disease that affects more than 42% of American adults nationally, while in Wisconsin, 37.7% of individuals have obesity.

That number is expected to climb. The upward trend may lead to as many as 220,000 young people having type 2 diabetes by 2060, a nearly 700% increase, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

With medical costs in the U.S. reaching $327 billion annually for diabetes and $173 billion for obesity, the costs associated with addressing these chronic diseases are substantial for consumers and employers alike.

Here are some tips to help you take control of your health by reducing risk factors for obesity and diabetes or improve these conditions if you or a loved one have them.

1. Talk to your employer about programs that may be available to you. Autumn is open enrollment season, the timeframe when many people are considering their options for health benefits for the following year. By carefully considering the available options and your health and financial needs, people can take an important step toward living a healthier life in 2025.

Some employer-sponsored health plans now offer programs that can help people with type 2 diabetes improve their condition and even work towards remission as well as programs that can help support people on their weight loss journey.

About two-thirds of Pew Research survey respondents say willpower alone is usually not enough for most people to lose weight, and newly-released data on consumer sentiment in health care shows that 3 in 4 respondents would like to participate in a workplace wellness program if it were offered to them. When reviewing your health benefits during this open enrollment period, keep an eye out for these offers.

2. Focus on a whole-person approach to better health. Weight loss journeys that start with a whole-person approach can be more effective at treating all aspects of a person’s health.

Pharmaceuticals like GLP-1s are one option for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity. While these medications hold promise for treating obesity, experts agree that in accordance with the FDA’s label, they should be used together with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity. Individuals who take these drugs are more successful at achieving and maintaining their weight loss goals when they are part of a comprehensive lifestyle management program. Talk to your employer about what benefits and programs may be available to you.

3. Focus on habits to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Including lean proteins such as chicken, fish, or turkey in your diet along with nutrient-rich vegetables like broccoli, green beans, and carrots, and a balanced portion of carbohydrates like brown rice or sweet potatoes can decrease the risk of unhealthy weight gain which can lead to conditions such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease. It is recommended that adults get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity such as brisk walking, while using two days a week to participate in muscle-strengthening activities.

4. Talk to your doctor. Set up routine visits with a health care professional to properly monitor and maintain your health. Regularly scheduled physical exams are essential to take care of your well-being so that any treatment and/or medications can be addressed immediately. Establishing routine visits with your primary care physician can also help you learn about available resources to prioritize your health and understand what to look out for with weight management.

Making healthier choices may help reduce the likelihood of developing a chronic illness while also improving one’s overall quality of life. As diabetes and obesity remain significant challenges in the United States, it’s important to take steps to protect your health and the well-being of your loved ones.