Got a minute? How many times has someone asked you that? Of course, they never really take just a minute, because a minute is really so little time to get anything done. Except, in a minute, three people in this country will be diagnosed with diabetes. Those minutes add up; today, 24 million Americans have diabetes. While that’s a huge number, consider this – the CDC estimates that one-fourth to one-third of those people don’t even know they have the disease. The statistics go on and on:  some minority populations (American Indians, African Americans, and Hispanics) are twice as likely as Caucasians to develop diabetes.  One-third of U.S. children born in 2000 could develop this disease during their lifetime.  And an estimated 57 million Americans have a high risk for developing type 2 diabetes with a condition known as pre-diabetes, or blood sugar levels that are higher than normal, but lower than the diabetes range.

You might wonder how someone could have such a prevalent disease and not know it.  But as the second leading cause of death in the U.S., and a major cause of kidney failure, heart disease, and stroke, it certainly affects the health and wellness of Americans in a significant way.  The American Diabetes Association has used November, designated as American Diabetes Month®, to raise awareness of this disease for a number of years.  This year, given the grim statistics, they are taking bolder action with their Stop Diabetes movement. 

There is some good news in all of this.  And American Diabetes Month® is a good time to share it.  People at risk for diabetes or those who already have pre-diabetes can take steps now to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes from ever developing.  These steps include medical, nutritional, and lifestyle changes to combat the disease.  At Sodexo, we feel a responsibility to help by providing healthful meals and educating about diabetes, given the millions of meals we serve daily. 

So, what can you do?  Know the signs and symptoms of diabetes.  Ask your doctor about risk factors for the disease.  Find out what you can do to minimize your risk for the disease, or minimize the effects on your health if you already have diabetes.  And encourage your family, friends and co-workers to do the same – you could just help them find out something they don’t already know.

It happens every year about this time – the requests to the Sodexo dietitians start pouring in: “How can my family and I avoid weight gain during the holidays?” Years ago, this time period meant the five weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Because of treat-rich Halloween, this holiday time period has increased, pounding both kids and parents with three full months of “sweet” opportunities. You thought costumes, cobwebs and the tricks were the biggest part of Halloween? Well, think again – it’s the treats! According to an estimate by the National Retail Federation, Americans spent almost two billion dollars on Halloween candy last year. 

While no one wants to be a bad apple, consider that childhood obesity has nearly tripled since 1980. Is there any doubt that candy can contribute to weight gain in children, or that additional pounds can negatively impact their health? Several studies indicate that being overweight contributes to more than 20 chronic diseases that are now manifesting in children and teenagers. These are serious, lifelong illnesses like type 2 diabetes, previously seen only in adults. Because they require additional health care, these diseases raise medical costs, taking their toll on not just the health of the individual, but also the U.S. economy.

At Sodexo, we have a commitment to health and well-being for our employees, clients and customers. We serve and promote healthy food options, and we also encourage regular physical activity, not only for children but for all age groups. 

While the causes of childhood obesity are numerous and complicated, perhaps its widespread emergence indicates that it is time to rethink holiday snacks, starting with Halloween. Buying the smaller “fun size” candy can be an easy introduction to portion control. In addition, there is an emerging trend towards giving children healthier treats, such as raisins, granola bars or pretzels. Some people are even handing out non-food treats like small games, puzzles and stickers. In addition, parents can place limits on their children’s Halloween stashes, like keeping five favorites and giving away or discarding the rest.

It can be very simple actions that keep the sweet spirit of the holidays alive, without turning them sour.

Just-released survey results representing more than 10 million employees around the world who were asked about workplace wellness programs revealed some interesting trends about what employers are doing to keep their workers well, and why they’re doing it. The survey by Buck Consultants, a global HR consulting firm, covered employers in 25 countries. It showed that, while wellness programs are growing in prevalence with 60 percent of those surveyed saying they have a wellness strategy, the U.S. still leads in number of programs with 82% responding that they have programs.

Wellness programs range from on-site health fairs to individualized online tools. Workplaces also report increases in stocking vending machines with healthy food options. One rapidly growing trend is workplace competitions, with the thought that the group setting will offer the kind of support that will motivate people to adopt healthy behaviors.

Employers who offer these programs – especially in this country – are motivated by a desire to save on health care costs. Chronic, preventable diseases cost this country a staggering amount: $218 billion for diabetes, $475.3 billion for heart disease and $76.4 billion for cancer.

So with all this investment in wellness programs, why isn’t the U.S. workforce a lean – emphasis on lean – mean machine? Why are so many of us still so unhealthy?

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During Sonia Sotomayor’s testimony last week in her bid to become the next Justice for the U.S. Supreme Court, she had two glasses in front of her. One contained water, which anyone testifying for hours would want on hand. The other contained Sprite, which at that time was more than a refreshment for her – it served a medically necessary purpose. According to a New York Times article last week, Judge Sotomayor has type 1 diabetes. The Sprite was part of her diabetes management by ensuring that a “low blood sugar level” wouldn’t catch her unprepared.

Small actions like these to manage diabetes are taken by tens of millions of people each day. These are the external face of an often desperate juggling act those with diabetes perform, balancing the amount of energy they use with the amount of energy they take in through food. For people with diabetes, the wrong balance can mean life-threatening complications like blindness, kidney failure, or even death. People with type 1 diabetes, such as Judge Sotomayor, have no ability to produce insulin, the hormone that helps convert sugar, starches or other food into energy.

For people with type 2 diabetes – more than 24 million people in the U.S. - their bodies have become resistant to insulin. It’s not that the body doesn’t produce the insulin as in type 1 diabetes, it’s that the body doesn’t recognize it. Although there is no cure for diabetes, the good news is that most type 2 diabetes can be prevented.

For many people, before they develop type 2 diabetes, they develop pre-diabetes, which means that they have elevated levels of blood glucose. There are lifestyle changes you can make BEFORE your pre-diabetes develops into type 2 diabetes.

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