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Fort Washington, PA (PRWEB) July 17, 2012

Today, according to the National Diabetes Fact Sheet jointly produced by the CDC, NIH, ADA and other organizations*, nearly 26 million children and Adults in the United States roughly 10% of the adult population have diabetes, with the vast majority being type 2. On average, there is a new case of diabetes diagnosed in the U.S. every 17 seconds. Another 79 million, or one in three American adults have pre-diabetes, meaning they are at high risk for developing the disease, which kills more Americans than breast cancer and HIV combined, and is a major driver of preventable healthcare costs. *http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/factsheet11.htm?loc=diabetes-statistics

The issue of diabesity, diabetes related to being overweight or obese, and often used synonymously with type 2, is in the forefront of the national dialogue on health, thanks in part to high-profile celebrities who share the plight.

An Addressable Problem

Type 2 diabetes is nothing short of a national epidemic and one that is almost entirely manageable. There are steps people can take to help avoid getting the disease and curb related complications. Studies have shown that losing even relatively little weight can have a dramatic impact on preventing or delaying progression of type 2 diabetes. The NIH multicenter study known as Look AHEAD (Action for HEAlth in Diabetes) has shown that losing as little as 5%-10% of body weight can slow the progression of type 2 diabetes, help people improve their glucose, blood pressure and more, and take fewer related costly medications. That 5-10% equates to just 10-20 pounds for a person who weighs 200-lbs. But losing weight can be challenging.

Testimonials

Theyre starting to find them. Mara Hall had been overweight her entire life and, over time, she developed type 2 diabetes. When she lost her brother to diabetes in 2002, it was a wake-up call. I knew it was either I take control of my life or I lose my life. Plus, my diabetes was making me feel fatigued often, she said. Mara, a Nutrisystem D customer, takes the programs snacks and meals with her when she leaves her home in the morning, so shes not tempted to purchase and eat the wrong things. Shes lost 36 lbs.* The health ramifications are significant both her blood glucose and A1C levels have improved.

In 2008, Bruce Mulligan weighed in at 255 pounds (on a good day) and his health was suffering. It seemed as though I was losing the battle for better health. So my wife and I decided to go on Nutrisystem that year to lose weight, he shared. Since then, Bruce has lost 80 lbs on Nutrisystem D* and is living a healthier life.

Those are the kinds of results that prompted Nutrisystem, a pioneer in the home weight loss delivery space, to recently debut an enhanced version of its Nutrisystem D program specifically designed for people with type 2 diabetes.

Reversing the Trend

From The First Ladys focus on combating childhood obesity to the annual American Diabetes Association Alert Day