New Study: Nutrition Therapy Can Lower Your Chances of Getting Type 2 Diabetes! Are You at Risk?

Get out your pencil and a piece of paper for the Diabetes Risk Test! Why? A new study shows that people who are at risk for type 2 diabetes can lower that risk by getting medical nutrition therapy from a registered dietitian. The researchers looked randomly put 76 overweight or obese adults with moderately high blood sugar in the “usual care” group or in the nutrition therapy group. The usual care group was told to exercise and eat healthy. The nutrition therapy group got one-on-one nutrition counseling. After 12 weeks, the usual care group’s blood sugar went up. The group who got nutrition counseling saw their blood sugar go down.
Why is this study important? Your insurance may not cover a meeting with a dietitian until you actually get diabetes. Studies like this show the importance of medical nutrition therapy before you get diabetes - at the pre-diabetic stage. 

So, how to you know you are at risk? Take this test on www.diabetes.org

Know Your Risk: 

How old are you?
Less than 40 years (0 points)
40—49 years (1 point)
50—59 years (2 points)
60 years or older (3 points)

Are you a man or a woman?
Man (1 point) Woman (0 points)

If you are a woman, have you ever been diagnosed with gestational diabetes?
Yes (1 point) No (0 points)

Do you have a mother, father, sister, or
brother with diabetes?
Yes (1 point) No (0 points)

Have you ever been diagnosed with high blood pressure?
Yes (1 point) No (0 points)

Are you physically active?
Yes (0 points) No (1 point)

What is your weight status? (Use this Table)

As you can see, being overweight, having a family history, not being physically active, and having high blood pressure are all things that can increase your chances of getting diabetes.

If you scored a 5 or higher, you should talk to your doctor about getting a blood sugar test to see if you have pre-diabetes or diabetes. Your doctor can refer you to a registered dietitian! You can also find a dietitian in your area at eatright.org.

Beth Kitchin, PhD, RDN
Assistant Professor, Nutrition Sciences
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Reference: Parker A, et al. Abstract #1209. Presented at: Presented at: AACE 24th Annual Scientific & Clinical Congress; May 13-17, 2015; Nashville, Tenn.