Bob Harper Of NBC's 'The Biggest Loser' And Local Diabetes Expert Visit San Diego To Help Residents 'Step Up' Their Diabetes Management

Main Category: Diabetes
Also Included In: Endocrinology
Article Date: 28 Nov 2006 - 0:00 PDT

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As part of the major nationwide educational campaign Diabetes & You: Step It Up to Get It Down, life and fitness coach Bob Harper will visit San Diego to encourage local residents with type 2 diabetes to better manage their disease. Harper and a panel of diabetes experts convened by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) developed the easy-to-understand and motivational 6.5 Steps Toward Better Blood Sugar Control. The 6.5 Steps underscore the importance of reaching the AACE target A1C goal of 6.5% or less for most patients through the cornerstones of effective diabetes management -- eating healthy, being physically active, monitoring blood sugar, seeing a doctor or other healthcare professional, and, when appropriate, taking one or more medicines. To encourage area residents to "Step It Up," Mayor Jerry Sanders has declared the week of November 27, 2006 "Diabetes Control Week" in San Diego, dedicated to improving blood sugar control for people with type 2 diabetes.

"Type 2 diabetes affects millions of Americans and is an epidemic," said Bob Harper. "Through my years of coaching and training, I've worked with many people with type 2 diabetes and seen how hard it can be to live with this condition. But I learned that anyone can change their life. It's all about finding the right tools and motivation. I'm challenging people with type 2 diabetes to step it up and use the 6.5 Steps Toward Better Blood Sugar Control. It's your body -- take charge today!"

The Diabetes & You: Step It Up to Get It Down campaign was developed in response to a first-of-its-kind report issued last year by AACE showing that two out of three Americans with type 2 diabetes analyzed in a study were not in control of their blood sugar -- failing to meet the AACE-recommended A1C goal of 6.5% or less for most patients. According to the report, in California alone, more than one-third of people with type 2 diabetes who were analyzed in the study were not in control of their blood sugar. The A1C test measures a person's average blood sugar levels over the previous two to three months. The A1C test complements blood sugar monitoring that patients do on their own, which shows a blood sugar level at the time the test is taken.

"Making the decision to take control of the disease is one of the most important things a person with type 2 diabetes can do to properly manage the condition and ultimately reduce the risk of long-term complications associated with the disease," said Dr. Daniel Einhorn, Medical Director, Scripps Whittier Institute for Diabetes and Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California San Diego. "The 6.5 Steps Toward Better Blood Sugar Control provide patients with recommendations that they can realistically incorporate into their daily routine. It's a great tool to motivate patients to partner with their doctor or other healthcare professional to make better health choices and bring their blood sugar levels under control."

Approximately 1,769,850 people in California are diagnosed with diabetes, and over 18 million people in the United States have type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or does not respond properly to its own natural insulin, a condition called insulin resistance. Insulin helps the cells convert blood sugar to energy. When sugar builds up in the blood instead of going into the cells, it can starve the cells of energy and, over time, high blood sugar levels can cause diabetes-related complications, affecting the eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart.

Free Educational Materials and Sweepstakes

Anyone interested in learning more about better diabetes management can call 1-877-6-5-STEPS or visit http://www.stepitupdiabetes.com. People with type 2 diabetes can also sign up online to enter a free sweepstakes and become eligible to receive great prizes, including one-on-one telephone coaching with Bob Harper and a year-long gym membership.

The 6.5 Steps Toward Better Blood Sugar Control

The following abbreviated version of the 6.5 Steps Toward Better Blood Sugar Control is the centerpiece of AACE's newly launched national diabetes educational campaign Diabetes & You: Step It Up to Get It Down, designed to help type 2 diabetes patients better manage their disease.

1. Be honest with yourself. Diabetes can be tough, but it doesn't have to control you.

2. Think about your reasons for living a healthier life and feeling better. Always keep them in mind.

3. Team up with your doctor or other healthcare professional to make a plan. This plan may include taking one or more medicines. You are in this together with the same goals.

4. Make healthy eating and regular physical activity part of your life.

5. Check your blood sugar as often as your doctor tells you and know your A1C number. A1C is your average blood sugar level for the past 2 to 3 months.

6. No quitting. Not today. Not tomorrow. Never give up!

6.5. The HALF STEP -- Getting started is HALF the battle!!!

To view the expanded version of the 6.5 Steps Toward Better Blood Sugar Control, visit http://www.stepitupdiabetes.com.

The Diabetes & You: Step It Up to Get It Down Expert Panel

AACE convened a panel of experts for a diabetes summit meeting in New York City to discuss the current state of diabetes management and develop the 6.5 Steps. Members of the expert panel include:

-- Bob Harper, life and fitness coach from NBC's "The Biggest Loser"

-- Paul S. Jellinger, MD, MACE, Past President, American College of Endocrinology and Past President, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists

-- Fred A. Williams, Jr., MD, FACP, FACE, National Chair, Public and Media Relations Committee, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists

-- Mary M. Austin, MA, RD, CDE, Immediate Past President, American Association of Diabetes Educators

About the Campaign Sponsors

AACE is a professional medical organization consisting of over 5,300 practicing clinical endocrinologists devoted to furthering patient care in the field of endocrinology. AACE is committed to transforming the lives of patients by enabling one another to practice leading edge, proactive, ethical and cost effective medicine.

All members of AACE are fully licensed physicians and fully trained in endocrinology. The majority are board certified in internal medicine and subspecialty certified in adult or pediatric endocrinology. AACE members are recognized clinicians and educators, and many are affiliated with medical schools and universities. Members contribute on a regular and continuing basis to the scientific literature on endocrine diseases and conduct medical education programs on this subject.

For more information on AACE, please visit http://www.aace.com or http://www.powerofprevention.com.

GlaxoSmithKline has provided funding and other support to AACE for the Diabetes & You: Step It Up to Get It Down campaign. GlaxoSmithKline, one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
http://www.stepitupdiabetes.com