Prevention

Lifestyle and Diabetes

Prevention is the key to this spectrum of disorders, since a vast majority of cases can be prevented by appropriate lifestyle measures. Working with patients to optimize nutrition and physical activity from a young age can prevent development of disease. Once disease develops, lifestyle modification can limit the need for pharmaceuticals and prevent common (and often life-threatening) complications of diabetes.

It is estimated that 90% of diabetes and 82% of cardiovascular disease are preventable through modifications in diet and exercise, elimination of smoking, and moderation of alcohol intake. (1, 2)

1. Willett WC, Stampfer M, et al. Nurses health and health professional follow-up study. Washington, DC: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI); 2008.

2. Willett WC. Eat, drink and be healthy: The Harvard Medical School guide to healthy eating. New York: Simon and Schuster; 2001.