When you’re a diabetic eating healthy is challenging. Gaining the support of family and friends is
crucial on your everyday path toward better health. But did you ever think that
when those around you support your healthier choices they may also be helping
themselves?
If you’re a recently diagnosed diabetic, your spouse or domestic
partners is more likely to develop diabetes themselves, concludes a study
presented at the American Diabetes Association’s 2015
Scientific Sessions. The study analyzed health data from Kaiser Permanente of
Northern California (KPNC), an integrated health care system with over 3
million members.
In general, the incidence of diabetes (rate of new cases
diagnosed) for KPNC members was similar to the U.S. population. But diabetes was diagnosed at a much higher
rate among members whose spouse / domestic partner had been diagnosed with
diabetes in the previous year. This was
true for both men and women, and for all age groups:
Overall KPNC
Incidence
|
With Recently
Diagnosed Spouses / Domestic Partners
|
Increase
|
|
All
|
0.83%
|
1.71%
|
206%
|
Men
|
0.96%
|
2.22%
|
231%
|
Women
|
0.71%
|
1.35%
|
190%
|
18-44 y.o.
|
0.34%
|
1.08%
|
318%
|
45-64 y.o.
|
1.17%
|
1.74%
|
149%
|
65-79 y.o.
|
1.50%
|
2.19%
|
146%
|
While first-degree genetic relatives (mother, father,
sister, brother) with diabetes is one of the ADA’s
risk factors, this may be evidence that a non-genetic family member with
diabetes can a risk factor.
As for the rest of the family, we all know that kids can
make it tougher to stick to your diet, even if you have a partner joining
you. After all, sometimes it seems like
they can (and do) eat pretty much anything they want, which increases our
temptations. But it turns out that they
can also benefit from a little food discipline.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently released the
latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The Guidelines are updated every five years,
and the 2015 edition includes a recommendation for daily intake of added sugars
– less than 10% of daily calories should be from added sugars. According to the Department of Agriculture,
all Americans are currently above the 10% limit, and it’s especially true for
children and teenagers:
Male
|
Female
|
|
1 – 3 y.o.
|
11%
|
11%
|
4 – 8 y.o.
|
15%
|
15%
|
9 – 13 y.o.
|
17%
|
17%
|
14 – 18 y.o.
|
17%
|
17%
|
19 – 30 y.o.
|
15%
|
16%
|
31 – 50 y.o.
|
13%
|
14%
|
51 – 70 y.o.
|
12%
|
12%
|
71 + y.o.
|
12%
|
12%
|
Undoubtedly, these dietary habits have been one cause
growing epidemic of obesity, pre-diabetes and diabetes. But reducing consumption of added sugar for
even a short time can have significant clinical benefits for children. A study
recently conducted at the University of California, San Francisco showed
that reduced sugar consumption by children at risk for Type II diabetes
produced significant benefits very quickly.
Study participants reduced added sugar to 10% of daily calories by
substituting complex carbohydrates without
reducing their total calorie consumption.
Statistically significant improvements in weight, blood pressure,
triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, glucose tolerance and hyperinsulinemia were
measured after just 9 days.
So if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, it may be
beneficial for the rest of the family to join you in watching their diets more
carefully. You’ll have a great support
group and you could be helping your entire family to avoid developing
diabetes.
