Staying active with diabetes: a guide for employers
As an employer, you want the best for your employees’ health and well-being, and you need to manage healthcare costs that are increasing across the nation. Encouraging physical activity is one of the most effective, low-cost ways to promote a healthy workplace, particularly when you have employees with type 2 diabetes, as many employers do. Exercise not only improves employees’ overall health but also helps prevent costly medical complications associated with diabetes.
Diabetes prevalence and costs
As of 2021, 38.4 million U.S. adults had diabetes (more than 90% with type 2 diabetes, which is associated with weight). Alarmingly, an estimated 97.6 million U.S. adults had prediabetes. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) reported that people with insulin-dependent diabetes have extra medical costs of about $4,800 per year.
“We increasingly see a lot of type 2 diabetes in employers’ medical claims,” said Kristen Lippencott, manager of well-being strategies for Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “Because its prevalence and the expense of treating its complications, diabetes is among the biggest cost drivers in healthcare. So, finding creative and effective ways to improve physical activity levels in your workforce can help manage your health plan costs.”
Lippencott, who works with groups on wellness and well-being solutions, said Arkansas Blue Cross is committed to helping employers create healthier work environments.
“Done safely, exercise helps everyone,” Lippencott said, “but it’s an especially strong component of diabetes management. Regular exercise promotes health and decreases the ill effects of the disease. Encouraging it through your workplace culture is one of the most efficient ways to start seeing positive changes.”
She said that because type 2 diabetes affects 1 in 10 Americans, it’s likely people in your workforce or their loved ones struggle with the condition. “Adopting more active lifestyles can benefit everyone in your organization, and it can help employees prevent or reverse a prediabetes diagnosis.”
Lippencott recommended employers share the following smart exercise tips for people with diabetes.
The benefits of exercise for employees with diabetes
Regular physical activity is essential for managing diabetes. Incorporating more activity into a day makes a difference—even 30 minutes of brisk walking can help:
- Improve insulin sensitivity
- Reduce blood sugar levels
- Increase energy levels
- Enhance overall health and well-being
However, it’s crucial for employees with diabetes to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new exercise routine. Certain conditions, such as retinopathy or peripheral neuropathy, may require special precautions.
Safe exercise practices for employees with diabetes
Once their doctor provides clearance for exercise, these guidelines for exercising with diabetes can help keep employees’ exercise sessions safe and sustainable:
- Check blood sugar levels: Before and after exercise, employees with diabetes should self-test blood glucose levels. The ADA recommends avoiding exercise if fasting glucose levels are >250 mg/dl (13.89 mmol/l) and ketosis is present.
- Keep a detailed log: Tracking blood sugar response to different activities, environments and food intake can help people managing diabetes recognize trends and triggers and make treatment adjustments.
- Emergency sweets stash: Keeping a source of fast-acting carbohydrates on hand in case of hypoglycemic emergencies can help employees avert diabetic crashes.
- Delay insulin until after exercise: Muscles metabolize insulin faster during exercise, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate: Drinking plenty of water before, during, and after exercise can prevent erratic blood sugars and heat stroke.
- Wear a medical ID: Wearing a medical identification tag or bracelet when working out is useful. If someone with diabetes loses consciousness while exercising, their medical ID tag helps others provide appropriate assistance.
- Warm up and cool down: Following the ADA’s recommendations for warm-up (5-10 minutes of aerobic activity) and cool-down (5-10 minutes until heart rate returns to pre-exercise levels) helps optimize the workout, minimize the risk of injury and promote recovery for tired muscles.
- Dress appropriately: People with diabetes especially need to prioritize well-fitting shoes, socks and breathable clothing to prevent diabetes-related foot problems and heat stroke.
The bottom line
Regular exercise is essential for managing diabetes and maintaining overall health. By promoting safe exercise practices and fitness among your workforce, you can help reduce the risk of costly medical complications associated with diabetes.
At Arkansas Blue Cross, we’re committed to helping employers like you create a healthier work environment. Learn more about our wellness programs and resources for promoting employee health and well-being.
Depending on your type of health plan, find resources below:
For Arkansas Blue Cross groups: Download our Wellness toolkit.
For Health Advantage groups: Download our Wellness toolkit.
For BlueAdvantage Administrators of Arkansas groups: Talk with your BlueAdvantage representative about a wellness solution for your workforce.