DALLAS, TEXAS — Nov. 5, 2012 — As the diabetes epidemic continues in the United States — with nearly 26 million children and adults afflicted with the disease — the fight to reverse the trend is more important than ever before.
Statistics from the American Diabetes Association are staggering. In 2010 alone, 1.9 million new cases of the disease were diagnosed in people 20 years and older. Adults with diabetes have heart-disease death rates about two to four times higher than those without diabetes. If the condition isn’t controlled, it can also lead to stroke, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney failure, nervous system damage and other serious complications.
Slimming World, the U.K.’s largest weight-loss company that is now available in the U.S., understands that diabetes is one of the greatest public health crises that the country is facing. To coincide with American Diabetes Month, Slimming World will donate $10 of every new online member’s enrollment fee in November to the American Diabetes Association.
“The American Diabetes Association is thrilled to join with Slimming World,” said Geralyn Spollett, MSN, ANP-CS, CDE, President, Health Care & Education, American Diabetes Association. “We both share a common goal of educating and supporting people with the tools and resources they need. Slimming World’s weight-loss program — which is based on sensible eating and a fitness program that rewards gradual steps toward exercise goals — will help people lead healthier lives and managing diabetes.”
The weight-loss program’s eating plan, called Food Optimising, is based on foods that are all easily found at the grocery store. The highly sophisticated system focuses on the energy density of food — the items that keep us feeling satisfied for longer periods of time. Foods that can be enjoyed freely on the eating plan without any weighing, counting or measuring include fruits, vegetables, potatoes, pasta, lean meat, fish and eggs. Nothing is banned, but indulgences such as sauce or chocolate are limited. Members are encouraged to swap foods that are high in fat and sugar for healthier alternatives without ever having to count calories or weigh and measure everything.
Janne McNeill, who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, was placed on insulin and several oral medications before joining the Slimming World program. Since that time, she has lost 95 pounds and is getting rave reviews at the doctor’s office.
“Before I couldn’t get my A1C level (an average of one’s blood glucoser control) down; they want it to be under 6.9 percent if you have diabetes,” McNeill says. “I was wavering between 6 and 7.”
A recent checkup revealed that her A1C level is now at 5 percent. Her doctor was very pleased with her improvement
“Type 2 diabetes and obesity go hand-in-hand,” says Yvonne Sanders, Slimming World’s Business Development Manager. “Slimming World, which is a national sponsor of the American Diabetes Association, wants to do its part to stem the rising costs of this epidemic, help people to lead healthier lifestyles and to ultimately Stop Diabetes.”
To learn more about Slimming World’s weight loss program and its support for the American Diabetes Association please see www.slimmingworldusa.com
Contact:
Darla Atlas
Slimming World Public Relations
817-247-7508
darlajatlas@yahoo.com
About Slimming World USA
Slimming World is Britain’s largest and most advanced slimming organization. It was founded in 1969 to offer people a very different approach to weight loss: a hunger-busting healthy eating plan based on satiety and energy density, an activity program to suit individual needs, and group support that offers compassion and understanding. Slimming World has a deep understanding of the emotional, physical and psychological challenges faced by overweight people, and this understanding underscores the company’s philosophy and methods. In more than four decades, Slimming World has helped millions of people to lose weight and live healthier, happier lives.
About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.