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Type 2 Diabetes

Contact the Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes — about 9 out of 10 people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. You can get type 2 diabetes at any age, even during childhood. Type 2 diabetes was previously called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or adult-onset diabetes. Type 2 diabetes may account for about 90% to 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is nearing epidemic proportions, driven by both an increased number of older Americans and a greater prevalence of obesity and sedentary lifestyles.

In type 2 diabetes, your body makes insulin, but the insulin can't do its job, so glucose is not getting into the cells. Treatment includes making healthy food choices, getting regular physical activity, and maintaining goal blood pressure and cholesterol levels. If you have type 2 diabetes, your body generally produces less and less insulin over time. This means that you may need to start using insulin or taking other medications in order to keep your diabetes in good control.

Managing Your Type 2 Diabetes

If you have diabetes, it’s important to make choices that keep you healthy.

Eat right – Use these tips for eating healthy with diabetes.

Eat whole grains like whole wheat pastas and bread, brown rice, oats and barley.
Eat less saturated fats and more good fats from nuts and olive oil.
Reduce your sugar intake.
Drink more water and unsweetened drinks.
Eat more non-starchy vegetables like spinach and broccoli.

Find more tips on eating well with diabetes on the American Diabetes Association What is the Diabetes Plate? website.

Be active – It is recommended that the average adult exercise. It is recommended that the average adult exercise 30 minutes per day, five times a week.

Start off with as many minutes as you are able to do and gradually add time to your workouts.
Here are some more Tips for Being Active with Diabetes.

Be prepared– Learn how people with diabetes can protect their health during natural disasters and other emergencies.

Be educated – Diabetes Self-Management Education can help you take care of yourself.

Talk with your doctor about medical examinations and tests that are needed for people with diabetes.