Gestational diabetes can also raise babies' risks of excessive birth weight, preterm birth, and type 2 diabetes later in life.

For this reason, it's been suggested that cold temperatures might protect against these conditions.

To study this potential connection in pregnant women, researchers looked at medical records of nearly 400,000 women living in the same urban area in Canada, in a region with wide temperature fluctuations throughout the year. Over a 12-year period, those women gave birth to more than 555,000 children.

When the researchers looked at average temperatures in the 30 days before these women gave birth, they found that the prevalence of gestational diabetes was 4.6% among those exposed to very cold temperatures (14 degrees Fahrenheit or lower), compared to 7.7% among those exposed to very hot temperatures (75 degrees Fahrenheit or higher).

That translates to a 6% to 9% relative increase in the risk of gestational diabetes for every increase of about 18 degrees Fahrenheit (or every 10 degrees Celsius), the researchers calculated.

The relationship held true even when the researchers compared two consecutive pregnancies in the same woman, which allowed them to cancel out factors such as income, ethnicity, and lifestyle habits that could also affect risk.

This may seem counterintuitive, says lead author Gillian Booth, MD, a researcher at St. Michael's Hospital and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences in Toronto, since people might think that pregnant women would spend more time outdoors and be more active during warmer months. But the findings fit a pattern of recent research on the potential protective effects of colder temperatures, she says.

And although the researchers only looked at a single geographic region in Canada, they say the results could likely apply to other parts of North American and the world.

"Based on the study's findings we would expect pregnancies in warmer climates to be at higher risk of gestational diabetes, although we weren't able to look at that directly," Dr. Booth told Health. "I think that's a great topic for future research."

The study also suggests that gestational diabetes -- and adult-onset diabetes, which shares the same risk factors -- could become increasingly prevalent worldwide as global temperatures continue to increase.

Because the study was not a randomized trial, it was unable to show a cause-and-effect relationship. The study also did not include information about body mass index, weight gain, physical activity, or diet of the women involved. But it does "offer fairly compelling evidence that air temperature may be a modifiable risk factor for gestational diabetes," says Dr. Booth.

Strategies like using air conditioning and avoiding excess layers in the summer might influence a pregnant woman's risk of gestational diabetes, says Dr. Booth.

These may be especially important for women who have strong non-modifiable risk factors for gestational diabetes, she adds, including non-European ethnicity, family history of type 2 diabetes, or a prior pregnancy with gestational diabetes.

Join the conversation

See the latest news and share your comments with CNN Health on Facebook and Twitter.

Temperature appears to have a smaller effect on gestational diabetes than these other risk factors, but "it is one factor that might be sufficient to push someone's risk over the edge," says Dr. Booth.

And while the number of women impacted globally by temperature fluctuations may be substantial, she says, the increased risk for individual women is likely small.

Staying cool during hot weather is probably a smart idea, says Dr. Booth, but women can also protect themselves from gestational diabetes by following strategies that have been proven to lower their risk -- like achieving a healthier body weight before they conceive, and avoiding excess weight gain during pregnancy by consuming a healthy diet and being physically active.

Read the original post:
Summer pregnancy may raise gestational diabetes risk - CNN

Eric Wildstein Gazette staff TheGazetteEric

Hes only 5 years old, but hes preparing to advocate for juvenile diabetes research before Congress.

Miles Bone spent Wednesday morning engaged in a wild, water war with his pre-kindergarten classmates at Gaston Day School to celebrate the end of the year. After toweling off, he readied to eat a chicken nuggets lunch from Chick-fil-A with everyone.

But first, he had to prick his finger with a needle to test his blood glucose level, a ritual he must repeat several times each day as a Type 1 diabetic. He entered his glucose number into an insulin pumpwhich he wears basically 24/7that injects him with the correct amount of insulin through a tube attached to his arm to keep his blood glucose stable after eating.

We talked about last night how he wants to show people what its like to have Type 1 diabetes because a lot of people dont know, said Sara Bone, Miless mother. A lot of people dont understand what Type 1 diabetes is and how much it affects his life and how hard he has to work to take care of himself.

Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, is an autoimmune disease in which a persons pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone people need to get energy from food. Children and adults can be diagnosed suddenly at any age. It cannot be prevented and there is no cure.

Miles, who lives in Dallas with his parents and older brother, will advocate for Type 1 diabetes research on Capitol Hill in late July. He applied and was selected to be part of a delegation of about 160 children from each U.S. state and several countries representing the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 2017 Childrens Congress, a bi-annual event.

The delegates will be lobbying their representatives of Congress to remind them of the vital need to continue supporting Type 1 diabetes research that could reduce the burden of the disease and ultimately find a cure.

CC 2015 Highlights from JDRF on Vimeo.

These childrenages 4 to 17will participate in a number of activities on the Hill, including a Congressional Committee hearing to share personal testimonies that highlight the daily struggles of living with Type 1 diabetes and the need for continued funding for research projects such as the Special Diabetes Program, which provides $150 million annually for Type 1 diabetes research at the National Institutes of Health.

I want Miles to one day be able to eat some pizza and not feel bad three hours later for doing it, said Sara Bone. I think that were almost there and I want him to actually know a day where he doesnt have to worry about it.

Miles was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes just three days after his first birthday. His parents noticed he was feeling ill and scheduled a visit with his pediatrician. Miles was hospitalized with diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially-deadly result of extremely high blood glucose and remained there for three days before his release. It was a scary time for his parents and brother, who had no family history of Type 1 diabetes and were new to caring for the condition.

It was the scariest thing that first day we brought him home, said Sara Bone. You just think how am I ever going to do this.

They would learn to balance the high and low blood glucose fluctuations that result from diabetes and how to maintain them with a proper diet. That includes keeping a close eye on what Miles eats, delivering insulin at the proper times and boosting low blood glucose with juice boxes, glucose tablets or another form of carbohydrate.

At school, Miless teachers help him to keep track of his health, though hes already handling a lot of the heavy lifting on his own. Sara Bone says its a constant balancing act and it causes Miles to miss out on or delay certain activities so that he can care for his diabetes. But she feels its already made him a stronger person.

Its made him more compassionate, she said. Its made his brother a compassionate kid. He really cares about Miles and wants to see him OK and cares about his future.

And Miles will work toward that brighter future by joining a long list of other advocates with Type 1 diabetes, such as celebrities including the NHL Hall of Fame hockey player Bobby Clarke, musicians Bret Michaels and Nick Jonas, and the late actress Mary Tyler Moore.

NASCAR Xfinity series driver Ryan Reed, 23, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2011. He later began his nonprofit organization, Ryan's Mission, which advocates and raises money for Type 1 diabetes research.

Reed will host the Lilly Diabetes #DriveYourHealth Track Walk from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Lilly Diabetes will make a donation to the American Diabetes Association Charlotte Chapter for each participant who reaches the finish line.

Reed will also sport the Lilly Diabetes logo on his No. 16 Ford Mustang at the NASCAR Xfinity series events at the speedway this weekend.

Miles and his family have already been doing their part. The family has participated in five Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation One Walks and mentored several families who are new to Type 1 diabetes.

As for what Miles hopes his talks with Congress will yield for type 1 diabetes, he says optimistically a cure.

You can reach Eric Wildstein at 704-869-1828 or Twitter.com/TheGazetteEric.

See more here:
Gaston 5-year-old lobbying Congress for Type 1 diabetes cure - Gaston Gazette

Nutrition Corner Mary R. Ehret

The number of people affected by diabetes and pre-diabetes continues to grow. In our area, 11 percent of the population more than one out of 10 people have diabetes. How many are undiagnosed? Nationwide, 9.3 million, or 21 percent of the population has diabetes. According to the America Diabetes Association, another 8.1 million, or 28 percent, could be undiagnosed.

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Over time, having too much glucose in blood can cause health problems like heart disease, nerve damage, eye problems and kidney disease. Steps can be taken to prevent diabetes or manage it.

Some key symptoms of diabetes include pain or numbness in the hands and feet, feeling very thirsty, extreme fatigue, blurry vision and slow healing cuts or bruises. See a health care provider if even a mild case of any symptom occurs.

Hearing the diagnosis of diabetes may make one feel like theyve had something taken away a favorite food, going out to eat and eating dessert all may be standing in the way of good health. Seeing a dietitian may help get over some of these obstacles. Attending a Diabetes Self-Management Education Program may increase knowledge of how food, physical activity and medication all work together to maintain a healthy blood-glucose level.

One of the food groups closely monitored and balanced with medication is carbohydrates. Whether it comes from fruit, vegetables or a sweet dessert, carbohydrates require insulin to be absorbed into the body. If a sufficient amount of insulin or low-quality insulin is available, the carbohydrate will stay in the blood stream. That is where the saying sugar, or high sugar, comes from.

Fruits and vegetables are healthy because they contain fiber, vitamins and minerals. However, they are carbohydrates and counted in the meal plan like any other food. Fruits and vegetables also contain water, which gives a filling effect, so low-carbohydrate vegetables are a great addition to any diet. Its also a dietary component people arent getting enough of.

Here are some examples of low-carbohydrate vegetables: cucumbers, peppers, yellow squash, carrots, celery, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes and green beans.

Include more of these vegetables every day. They have between two-to-six grams of carbohydrates per half-cup serving, which is much less than the 15-gram carbohydrate exchange suggestion for a serving of starchy vegetables or breads.

For a free copy of Pennsylvania Produce Guide, which lists all the fruits and vegetables food labels, call 570-825-1701.

This recipe uses two low-carbohydrate vegetables: summer squash and tomatoes.

Summer Squash Medley

1 onion, small

1 tablespoon olive oil (or canola oil)

1 1/2 yellow summer squash, small and sliced (can use 1-2 squash)

1 1/2 zucchini, small and sliced (can use 1-2 zucchini)

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

pepper (to taste, optional)

1 can diced Italian tomatoes (14.5 ounces)

2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese (grated)

In large skillet, heat oil. To heated oil, add squash and onion. Cook on medium heat until tender, about 10 minutes, stirring often. Add tomatoes and simmer 5 minutes.

Season with garlic powder to taste. Add pepper (optional), if desired. Serve warm, top with Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

Nutrition Corner Mary R. Ehret

http://psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_Ehret.CMYK_-3.jpgNutrition Corner Mary R. Ehret

Mary Ehret is the Penn State Extension Nutrition Links Supervisor in Luzerne, Lackawanna, Monroe, Carbon, Sullivan and Bradford counties. Reach her at 570-825-1701 or at [emailprotected]

.

Read more:
Nutrition Corner: Control diabetes with low-carbohydrate vegetable - The Sunday Dispatch

When Stafford High School students flip through the yearbook for the first time, they get to page 220 and gasp with surprise, Its Alpha!

Although Alpha goes to school every day like all the other students featured in the recently released yearbook, he is also a little different: Alpha is a service dog.

Alpha belongs to Andrew AJ Schalk, a 16-year-old junior at Stafford High who has Type 1 diabetes. The service dog alerts him when his blood sugar levels are too high or low by giving Schalk his paw.

He lets me know my blood sugar is fluctuating through smell anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes before I even know anything is wrong, Schalk said.

Grace Fuller, a 17-year-old junior who is on the yearbook staff, featured Alpha in a small profile in last years annual. As she sorted through this years student headshots, a photo of Alpha popped up and she knew it needed to be included.

AJ has always talked about how much he liked having Alpha at school, and he is here all the timewe see him in class and in the hallways, she said. He is a part of this school now.

A Stafford student tweeted about Alphas inclusion in the yearbook, and that post was shared thousands of times and prompted a Buzzfeed story on Wednesday that has been shared widely on social media.

Schalk started bringing his service dog to school with him last year. At first, he would take him only one day a week to get him acclimated to the new environment. Now, Alpha goes everywhere with him, including on the bus and to class.

When Alpha first started coming to school, Schalk observed many students turning their heads and saying, Wait, is that a dog? But, over the past few months, the unfamiliarity has faded, and most of the students recognize him now.

Schalk said everyone has been very accepting of having a service dog around the school. So, he wasnt surprised when he and Fuller went to his teachers and school administrators with the idea to include his four-legged friend in the yearbook and they were all for it.

Everyone has been a hundred percent supportive of him from the very beginning, Schalk said.

Schalk uses a number of tools to manage his diabetes, but Alpha has made the biggest difference in helping him to live a normal, full life.

It has turned my disability into a positive experience, Schalk said.

Alphas presence in the school has not only helped Schalk, but also other students, as well.

Schalk said his furry companion instantly lights up the school environment when they walk through the doors in the morning, and everyone looks happy to see them. Students wave and smile, and teachers say hello when the inseparable pair walk into class.

Alpha brightens the school atmosphere for all of the studentsnot just me, Schalk said. I love knowing that were having that effect on so many people.

Read this article:
Diabetic student's service dog makes Stafford High's yearbook - Fredericksburg.com

Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center Foundation was one of seven local nonprofit organizations awarded a grant by the Climax Area Community Investment Fund on May 3. The fund supports programs and projects that promote health and wellness.

The $41,500 grant will support a unique partnership between Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center in Chaffee County and St. Vincent Hospital in Lake County to implement the National Diabetes Prevention Program, a nationally recognized diabetes prevention program. Education and improved access to quality health care can help individuals at risk for diabetes. The funds will also be used to increase the availability of fitness, nutrition and other health education in the region.

The National Diabetes Prevention Program is the most effective intervention for lifestyle change that I've seen in my 20-year career, said HRRMC Wellness Supervisor Jon Fritz.The group class is led by a trained coach and encourages increased activity and decreased caloric intake. The answers are simple but the process is challenging and that's why trained coaches follow an evidence-based curriculum which has proven effective.

Chaffee County has had an NDPP program since 2013. Lake County and St. Vincent Hospital have identified diabetes prevention as a focus in their community. HRRMC will offer assistance in starting an NDPP program while expanding classes throughout Chaffee County.

HRRMC Foundation director Kimla Robinson accepted the award along with Fritz on behalf of the hospital. We are so honored to receive the Freeport-McMoRan Climax Area Community Investment Fund Grant and partner with St. Vincent Hospital to implement a diabetes prevention program, she said.

The Climax Area Community Investment Fund was established in 2011 to focus on programs and projects that help create sustainability and reduce dependency on any single industry. Eligible programs and projects include those in the areas of education, community and economic development, environmental stewardship, and health and wellness. A committee comprised of community leaders representing diverse organizations and two Freeport-McMoRan representatives governs the Fund.

For more information on the NDPP program, call the HRRMC Wellness Department at 530-2057.

See the original post:
HRRMC receives grant for diabetes prevention outreach - Chaffee County Times