America, we have a problem: Diabesity!

America, we have a problem!

In a very thorough compilation of the most recent medical reports, Good Morning America and ABCNews.com highlighted the following statistics:

The nation's "diabesity" epidemic, part of a paired global rise in obesity and Type 2 diabetes, has enormous ramifications for Americans' health and well-being, as well as their pocketbooks. Type 2 diabetes, the form of the disease associated with excess body weight, is a powerful driver of heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and amputation, all of which are expensive conditions.

In the report, UnitedHealth Group, headquartered in Minnetonka, Minn., recommends interventions based upon evidence that intensive lifestyle changes can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes. The landmark Diabetes Prevention Program, chaired by Dr. David M. Nathan, director of the diabetes center at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, demonstrated that overweight and obese people with pre-diabetes could reduce by 58 percent their risk of becoming diabetic with diet and exercise.

Not only do we have a problem, we have resistance to change!

Dr. Anne Peters, director of clinical diabetes programs at the University of Southern California, also an investigator in the federally funded Look AHEAD trial (a long-term study of weight loss and exercise on cardiovascular risks among overweight and obese diabetics) said, “The problem is that people do lose weight, and will regain it once the intervention stops. Basically, everybody with diabetes needs a lifelong lifestyle coach. You need somebody to call you and bug you. You need a support group and a walking group."

I have spent over two decades as an ACE Certified Fitness Instructor, Nutrition and Life Coach, Author and Speaker. I, too, am convinced that the average person has the desire to change but most often needs coaching and support to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Why can't we change alone? Because our present culture and unhealthy society undermines us everywhere we turn!

In 2011, along with hundreds of others in the health profession, Little Changes Big Results LLC is making a strategic case for changing the way you live by encouraging you to make little changes that will have big results—physically, emotionally, mentally, and relationally. For 52 consecutive weeks, I am going to provide personal 1-to-1 coaching, group support on a member-blog, and weekly instruction/assignments designed to inspire you to set healthy goals and reach them. I know that you can improve your life and the lives of those around you--and if you know that you need help to change or would like more information on individual coaching or to join my 2011 “Healthy American Woman” Online Group, click here.