Sarah Sommers is the diabetes education coordinator and outpatient dietitian with Sheridan Memorial Hospital.
Every November we recognize Diabetes Awareness Month and World Diabetes Day, which was celebrated this year Nov. 14, 2025. Diabetes occurs when the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin it makes, known as insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone that helps blood glucose enter the body’s cells to be used for energy. When this process doesn’t work properly, glucose guilds up in the blood stream and can lead to serious health complications such as heart disease, kidney damage, nerve damage and vision problems
There are several types of Diabetes including Type 1, Type 2, Gestational Diabetes, and Prediabetes. According to the Wyoming Department of Health, about 8.1% of Wyoming adults have been diagnosed with diabetes, and this number is higher at 10.8% of adults in Sheridan County. Statewide, it is estimated that one in three adults have prediabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Without lifestyle changes, many individuals with prediabetes will develop Type 2 Diabetes later in life.
While genetic factors play a big role in the development of all kinds of diabetes, both prediabetes and diabetes are increasing in prevalence. Fortunately, much can be done to decrease the risk of these chronic diseases. Reducing the risk of developing diabetes is possible by making regular lifestyle changes. These include:
- Exercise: The target for exercise to reduce the risk of diabetes is 150 minutes of physical activity each week. Physical activity both increases insulin sensitivity and decreases blood glucose levels.
- Maintain a healthy weight: If you are overweight, losing just 5% of your body weight can reduce your risk of developing diabetes. For someone who weighs 200 pounds, that is only a 10-pound weight loss.
- Choose nutritious foods: A healthy diet can make a big impact in reducing diabetes risk. Dietary strategies to reduce diabetes risk include:
- Limiting sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda and juices
- Including more non-starchy vegetables like leafy greens, broccoli and cucumbers
- Cutting back on sweets and desserts
- Consuming more healthy fats such as those found in olive oil, avocado, nuts and fatty fish
- Reducing processed meat consumption including bacon, sausage and hot dogs.
If you are already living with diabetes, following your treatment plan including taking prescribed medication is key to maintaining glycemic control and preventing complications. You can also contact your primary care provider or a local diabetes educator for personalized guidance on nutrition, activity, self-monitoring of glucose and medication management. To learn more about diabetes visit the American Diabetes Association website at www.diabetes.org.