Obesity is a growing issue in the United States and continues to lead to a variety of health problems and increased risks for your patients. Due to the prevalence of overweight and obese individuals, new guidelines have been released to start screening for diabetes earlier.
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According to updated national guidelines, overweight and obese adults should be screened for diabetes at age 35, instead of age 40.
Obesity and Type 2 diabetes are on the rise.
Currently, 3 out of 4 adults in the US are overweight or obese, which can lead to a variety of health problems including diabetes.
How can you help your overweight patients?
Depending on your area of focus, you might be the appropriate physician to offer screenings and work with your patients if they are diabetic or prediabetic.
If not, you may want to refer overweight patients to a physician that can provide a diabetes screening as part of their follow up care. You also may want to discuss lifestyle changes, such as healthy diet and exercise, with your patients that are overweight.
Your discussion may also include symptoms to monitor and discuss at future visits. Awareness can help patients make changes and prevent diseases.
You may also want to discuss how diet and physical activity can prevent or delay diabetes in adults with prediabetes.
Many adults experienced weight gain during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to working from home, stress, gym closures, etc.
Now is the time to help your patients establish healthy habits to prevent future health issues.
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