Most people are aware of the link between diabetes and being overweight of obese. The excess weight can contribute to or lead to type 2 diabetes because it makes the body more resistant to insulin. If your older family member has been diagnosed with diabetes, they should certainly follow the treatment plan set by their doctor. A new study shows that losing weight should be part of the treatment plan since it may lead to remission.
Diabetes and Weight Loss Study
A new study published in the journal Diabetic Medicine researchers looked at data concerning 867 people who were between the ages of 40 and 69. All of them had recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The researchers followed them for 5 years. At the end of the study period, they found that about 30 percent of the participants were in remission. The interesting part of their findings was that the people who had lost a minimum of 10 percent of their body weight had double the chances of putting their diabetes in remission compared to those who hadn’t lost weight.
Helping Older Adults Lose Weight
Losing weight isn’t easy. It can be especially hard for older adults who may not be as mobile as they once were, so have a harder time burning calories. However, no matter their age, your aging relative can lose weight, which may allow them to better control diabetes. Here are some tips to help with weight loss:
- Basics Apply: The same basic rules for weight loss that apply to younger adults still apply for seniors. That means they still need to eat fewer calories than they expend, choose a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, avoid empty calories, and don’t fall for fad diets whose results don’t last.
- Plan Meals: To avoid buying tempting snacks at the grocery store, the older adult should plan meals for the week and make a shopping list based on the menu. Plan for healthy snacks, as well, such as low-fat yogurt, vegetable sticks, and fruit. When shopping, stick to the list. Not only can this prevent the purchase of junk food items, it can also save money!
- Drink Water: Hydration is important and drinking water can also make your aging relative feel full, leaving them less likely to snack. Plus, water is the best choice as a beverage because it doesn’t contain unwanted ingredients like sugar, and it has zero calories.
- Use Proper Portions: It’s not uncommon for people in the United States to eat larger portions of foods than they should. Unfortunately, that means eating more calories. Learn what proper portion sizes are and try to stick to them. If the older adult is still hungry, offer seconds of vegetables instead of the main dish.
Home care can assist older adults to lose weight by helping them use the tips above. A home care provider can sit down with the senior and plan meals for the week, make the shopping list, and even drive them to the grocery store. Home care providers can also encourage your aging relative to drink more water by making sure they always have fresh, cold water at their fingertips in a glass or bottle. Home care providers can also assist with increasing physical activity so the older adult burns more calories, such as by taking walks with them or encouraging exercise at home.
Sources
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326508.php
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/dieting-tips-older-adults
https://www.verywellfit.com/weight-loss-tips-2967746
If you or an aging loved one is considering homecare in Red Lodge, MT, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare Billings today at 406-839-2390.
