• Online Scheduling | Careers

Mat-Su Regional Medical Center
  • Quick Links
    • Find a Doctor
    • Services
      • Services

        • View All Services
        • Behavioral Health
        • Critical Care Medicine
        • Diabetes Care
        • Diagnostic Imaging
        • Digestive Health
        • Emergency Services
        • Heart Care
        • Hospice
        • Infusion Services
        • Joint Replacement
        • Laboratory Services
        • Maternity Care
        • Neurology
        • Nutrition Services
        • Orthopedic Services
        • Pediatric Care
        • Pharmacy
        • Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
        • Rehabilitation Services
        • Sleep Disorders Center
        • Stroke Care
        • Surgical Services
        • Urgent Care
        • Women's Health
        • Wound Care
          • Patients & Visitors
            • For Patients

              • Patients & Visitors
              • Admissions
              • Cafeteria Information
              • Community Resources
              • DAISY Award Nominations
              • Directions
              • Events
              • Financial Information
              • Going Home
              • Health Library
              • Online Scheduling
              • Patient Portal
              • Request Medical Records
              • Spiritual Care
              • Your Stay
                • Careers
                • Locations
                  • Hospitals
                  • Mat-Su Medical Group
                  • Rehabilitation Centers
                  • Urgent Care
                  • Other Locations
                • About
                  • About

                    • About Us
                    • Awards & Accreditations
                    • Board of Directors
                    • Board of Trustees
                    • Careers
                    • Community Benefits
                    • Contact Us
                    • Newsroom
                    • Phone Directory
                    • Quality & Safety
                    • Senior Circle
                    • Volunteer Opportunities
                      • (907) 861-6000
                      • Online Scheduling
                      • Online Bill Pay
                      • Patient Portal
                      • Events
                      • Contact
                      • analog clock icon
                      • Avg ER Wait:
                        4 Min

                        About ER Wait Times
                      Home/About Us/Newsroom/Small Changes Could Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

                      Refine Results

                      About Us
                      Awards & Accreditations
                      Board of Directors
                      Board of Trustees
                      Careers
                      Hospital Opportunities
                      Physician & Provider Opportunities
                      Community Benefits
                      Contact Us
                      Newsroom
                      E-Newsletter Sign Up
                      2024 News Releases
                      2023 News Releases
                      2022 News Releases
                      2021 News Releases
                      2020 News Releases
                      2019 News Releases
                      2018 News Releases
                      2017 News Releases
                      2016 News Releases
                      2015 News Releases
                      Phone Directory
                      Quality & Safety
                      ADA Accessibility Policy
                      Diversity Policy
                      Joint Commission Notice
                      Notice of Privacy Practices
                      Organized Health Care Arrangement Status
                      Patient Rights & Responsibilities
                      Privacy Policy
                      Safety Improvement
                      Terms & Conditions
                      Senior Circle
                      Volunteer Opportunities
                      Opportunities
                      Volunteer FAQ
                      eNewsletter Redirect
                      Events
                      Events
                      Find a Doctor
                      Locations
                      Notice of Non-Discrimination
                      Patients & Visitors
                      Services
                      • information
                      • news
                      • Avg ER Wait:
                        4 Min

                        About ER Wait Times
                      • Directions

                        Find Our Location
                      • American Association of Critical-Care Nurses recognizes Intensive Care Unit at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center with Silver Beacon Award for Excellence

                        05.19.2025

                      • Mat-Su Regional Medical Center Earns an "A" Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group

                        05.01.2025

                      • See All News & Press Releases
                      • Sign Up For Our E-Newsletter

                        Sign Up For Our E-Newsletter

                        Featuring a monthly dose of information and inspiration for living well.

                        Learn More
                      • Mobile Device

                        Online Scheduling

                        Free, convenient online check-in services.

                        Learn More
                      • Nurse and Patient

                        Patient Portal

                        Access your medical information
                        on demand.

                        Learn More

                      Small Changes Could Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

                      5/30/2023

                      Type 2 diabetes is on the rise among children and young adults

                      RobinsonPalmer, AK, May 30, 2023 – Over 30 million Americans have type 2 diabetes. If left untreated or unmanaged, the disease can damage all aspects of the cardiovascular system, cause blindness, heart disease, loss of limbs and other serious conditions.

                      While type 2 diabetes is most often diagnosed in adults 45 and older with a family history of the disease or in those who are overweight or obese, the condition is now becoming more prevalent in children, teens and young adults. Fortunately, there are small lifestyle changes and habits that can help prevent this chronic condition in people of all ages while also improving overall health.

                      As the most common type of diabetes, type 2 diabetes is when the body creates too much insulin or resists it, which causes blood sugar levels to rise.

                      “Small changes in lifestyle like taking a daily walk or drinking water instead of juice can help prevent diabetes and make a big impact on your health,” says Dr. Rebekah Robinson a primary care physician with Mat-Su Medical Group in Palmer.

                      Rebekah Robinson, M.D., suggests four ways to prevent type 2 diabetes.

                      • Manage weight and belly fat: Excess weight in the abdomen and obesity are main causes of type 2 diabetes. Experts recommend maintaining a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 and a waistline of less than 35 inches for women and less than 40 inches for men.
                      • Exercise regularly: Daily exercise can help avoid heart disease, reduce stress and type 2 diabetes. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise, like walking or biking, and two strength workouts each week.
                      • Move more: Additional movement beyond exercise can also help keep off weight. Consider taking the stairs rather than an elevator or standing during work meetings to add more movement into daily life.
                      • Eat fresh food: Avoid overly processed foods like chips, candy and deli meats, and focus on foods rich in fiber and nutrients like fruits, vegetables and lean protein.

                      Unfortunately, Type2 diabetes could take years to develop and symptoms are often hard to detect. If you experience fatigue, numbness, tingling in the feet or blurred vision, it is important to get tested.

                      To learn more about preventing type 2 diabetes, or to schedule a wellness exam, visit https://www.matsumedicalgroup.com/doctors-providers.

                      If you would like an appointment with Dr.Rebekah Robinson or one of our primary care physicians call 907-861-1450 or visit https://www.matsumedicalgroup.com/doctors-providers to be connected with one of Mat-Su Medical Group’s qualified primary care physicians.

                      Mat-Su Regional Medical Center offers a free e-newsletter with a monthly dose of health and wellness inspiration sent directly to your inbox from a rusted medical source. Sign up at https://www.matsuregional.com/enewsletter-sign-up.

                      Sources

                      https://www.healthline.com/health-news/type-2-diabetes-how-nitrates-in-meat-and-other-foods-can-increase-risk
                      https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/disease-prevention/diabetes-prevention/preventing-diabetes-full-story/#:~:text=Type%202%20diabetes%20is%20largely,healthy%20diet%2C%20and%20not%20smoking.
                      https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adults/index.htm
                      https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/go-red-get-fit/what-exercise-is-right-for-me#:~:text=Get%20at%20least%20150%20minutes,least%202%20days%20per%20week.
                      https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevent-type-2/type-2-kids.html
                      https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324875#is-it-common
                      https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/29/health/diabetes-young-people/index.html#:~:text=The%20number%20of%20people%20under,people%20with%20type%201%20diabetes.
                      https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevent-type-2/guide-prevent-type2-diabetes.html
                      https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article-abstract/46/2/313/148151/Projections-of-Type-1-and-Type-2-Diabetes-Burden

                      Back

                      Mat-Su Regional Medical Center

                      • 2500 South Woodworth Loop
                      • Palmer, AK 99645
                      • P: (907) 861-6000
                      • F: (907) 861-6559

                      • ADA Accessibility Policy
                      • Terms & Conditions
                      • Privacy Policy
                      • Change Your Privacy Choices
                      • Notice of Privacy Practices
                      • Patient Rights & Responsibilities
                      • Price Transparency

                      Copyright ©2025. All rights reserved.

                      An AllianceHealth Oklahoma® hospital

                      Services

                      • Behavioral Health
                      • Critical Care Medicine
                      • Diabetes Care
                      • Diagnostic Imaging
                      • Digestive Health
                      • Emergency Services
                      • Heart Care
                      • Hospice
                      • Infusion Services
                      • Joint Replacement
                      • Laboratory Services
                      • Maternity Care
                      • Neurology
                      • Nutrition Services
                      • Orthopedic Services
                      • Pediatric Care
                      • Pharmacy
                      • Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
                      • Rehabilitation Services
                      • Sleep Disorders Center
                      • Stroke Care
                      • Surgical Services
                      • Urgent Care
                      • Women's Health
                      • Wound Care

                      Patients & Visitors

                      • Admissions
                      • Cafeteria Information
                      • Community Resources
                      • DAISY Award Nominations
                      • Directions
                      • Events
                      • Financial Information
                      • Going Home
                      • Health Library
                      • Online Scheduling
                      • Patient Portal
                      • Request Medical Records
                      • Spiritual Care
                      • Your Stay

                      About Us

                      • Awards & Accreditations
                      • Board of Directors
                      • Board of Trustees
                      • Careers
                      • Community Benefits
                      • Contact Us
                      • Newsroom
                      • Phone Directory
                      • Quality & Safety
                      • Senior Circle
                      • Volunteer Opportunities

                      Notice of Nondiscrimination
                      • English,
                      • አማርኛ,
                      • العربية,
                      • বাংলা,
                      • ျမန္မာဘာသာ,
                      • tsalagi gawonihisdi,
                      • 繁體中文,
                      • Chahta,
                      • Oroomiffa,
                      • Nederlands,
                      • Français,
                      • Kreyòl Ayisyen,
                      • Deutsch,
                      • ગુજરાતી,
                      • हिंदी,
                      • Hmoob,
                      • Igbo asusu,
                      • Ilokano,
                      • Italiano,
                      • 日本語,
                      • 한국어,
                      • Ɓàsɔ́ɔ̀‑wùɖù‑po‑nyɔ̀,
                      • ພາສາລາວ,
                      • Kajin Ṃajōḷ,
                      • ខ្មែរ,
                      • Diné Bizaad,
                      • नेपाली,
                      • Deitsch,
                      • فارسی,
                      • Polski,
                      • Português,
                      • ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
                      • Română,
                      • Русский,
                      • Gagana fa'a Sāmoa,
                      • Srpsko‑hrvatski,
                      • Español,
                      • ܣܘܼܪܸܬ݂,
                      • Tagalog,
                      • ภาษาไทย,
                      • Türkçe,
                      • Українська,
                      • اُردُو,
                      • Tiếng Việt,
                      • èdè Yorùbá,
                      • עִברִית
                      Loading... Loading...