Prevention/illnesses | 29.4.2026
Preventing diabetes is important for staying healthy in old age. People at increased risk can significantly reduce their likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes through a healthy diet, regular physical activity and moderate weight loss, Some supplementary outpatient insurance plans support this through contributions towards physical activity or check-ups.
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which the body cannot properly produce or use the hormone insulin. This causes blood sugar levels to become permanently elevated, which can lead to long-term damage to the body.
There are several forms of diabetes. The most common are type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes can lead to various health complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, vision problems and nerve damage.
Understanding the risk factors for diabetes can help you take preventive action. Some risk factors, such as age and genetics, cannot be changed. Others are directly influenced by lifestyle choices.
Risk factors that can be influenced include:
Regular health check-ups can help to detect diabetes at an early stage. Combined with simple lifestyle changes, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Being overweight, especially carrying excess visceral fat around the abdomen, is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Reducing abdominal fat not only reduces your diabetes risk but also improves overall health and wellbeing.
Choose a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and plant-based protein sources. Limit highly processed foods as well as products high in sugar and saturated fats.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each day, such as brisk walking, hiking, swimming or cycling. In addition, incorporate strength-training exercises into your routine twice a week.
Stress management techniques such as yoga, meditation and breathing exercises can help you restore balance and support your overall wellbeing and long-term health.
A healthy and balanced diet plays a crucial role in preventing type 2 diabetes. These recommendations can help:
Professional nutrition counselling can help you develop new dietary habits and create suitable meal plans.
Regular exercise helps the body use insulin more effectively and improves glucose metabolism. For this reason, at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week is recommended for diabetes prevention.
Try to incorporate movement into your daily routine. For example, take the stairs instead of the lift and walk or cycle for short journeys, for example when doing your daily shop. Nature can also provide an excellent environment for exercise. A walk in the forest combined with strength, flexibility and coordination exercises offers a simple and effective way to stay active.
A good balance of different activities, alternating between strength training, endurance training, flexibility and coordination exercises, provides the greatest benefits. The important thing is to choose activities that you enjoy.
There is currently no cure for type 2 diabetes. However, researchers are constantly looking for new treatments. Advances in medical technology also bring hope for future medical solutions.
Maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly and losing weight can significantly improve health outcomes for people with type 2 diabetes. In some cases, blood sugar levels can be reduced to the extent that diabetes is no longer detectable.
Each health insurer determines independently which screening tests are covered under their supplementary health insurance. Pulse supplementary outpatient insurance from KPT contributes towards:
For extra contributions towards preventive healthcare and screening services, we recommend Pulse benefit classes Top or Premium.
Pulse supplementary outpatient insurance from KPT contributes towards preventive healthcare and screening for conditions like diabetes as well as other health risks. Thanks to comprehensive benefits for sport, fitness and medical screenings that are not covered by basic health insurance, Pulse offers optimal support for your physical and mental health. Choose the health benefits that you really need and take charge of your own health.
Stefania Cortesi is a KPT product manager and passionately committed to the development of advanced health insurance products. She uses her extensive experience in product development, market analysis and trend monitoring to share valuable insights into the world of insurance solutions on our blog.
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Pulse supplementary outpatient insurance contributes towards preventive healthcare and screening to suit your requirements. The Pulse Top and Pulse Premium benefit classes offer individual benefits and contributions towards sport and fitness activities.
