• Published on: Sep 26, 2021
  • 3 minute read
  • By: Second Medic Expert

What Is The Meaning Of Pre-diabetic?

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What is the meaning of pre-diabetic?

Pre-diabetes is the stage that comes before type 2 diabetes. If blood sugar levels are high but not yet high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes, then you are pre-diabetic.

A person may have pre-diabetes if they find it hard to control their blood glucose levels.

It is important to note how long you have had this condition and what your other risk factors are like such as age, history of gestational diabetes, history of cardiovascular disease, family history (genetic heritability), obesity (BMI > 30), physical inactivity.

Pre-diabetic people tend to be insulin resistant or sensitive when they're not eating anything, and the fasting level is high at 138 mg/dl and when they're drinking glucose their fasting level goes up even more and after a meal, their blood sugar goes up higher than 140 mg/dl at least two times in 225.

Someone affected by pre-diabetes has an impaired ability to produce insulin, which is necessary to regulate glucose levels. This could lead to high blood sugar over time. People who are pre-diabetic may suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), normal aging or another illness that causes the pancreas to fail to work properly. A person suffering from pre-diabetes is suffering from high blood sugar levels. A person suffering from diabetes not Type 1 is suffering from high blood sugar levels.

Sometimes people are diagnosed with pre-diabetes instead of Type II Diabetes because it's more common in the population. Pre-diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin or process glucose properly to regulate blood sugar, but that can be managed through diet and exercise in most cases.

Type I Diabetes is when a person cannot make any insulin at all, whereas type II might be caused by, for example, an unfortunate metabolic issue or lifestyle change like eating too many sweets or quitting smoking.

Pre-diabetic refers to a person who has blood sugar levels that qualify him or her as "pre-high blood glucose" but not high enough to be considered diabetic yet. Pre-diabetes is a temporary condition in which the body starts to develop insulin resistance, and the cells of your pancreas start secreting more and more of their own insulin to avoid producing too much glucose. Eventually, this becomes counterproductive, the pancreas becomes so resistant it can't keep up with demand anymore, and type 2 diabetes occurs. However, pre-diabetes does not require any treatment because by avoiding junk food and excessive portions (and exercising) you will likely get off pre-diabetics without ever developing diabetes. Pre-diabetes is a term to describe high blood insulin levels that are on the cusp of developing type 2 diabetes but haven't yet.

Type 2 diabetes develops when cells lose their insulin receptors and cannot create enough sugar for themselves. This means the body has to produce more and more insulin in order to get glucose into any cells with remaining insulin receptors (such as muscle or fat cells). Over time, high levels of circulating hormones lead to damage in the small vessels that provide oxygen and nutrients — particularly to kidneys — putting them at risk of failure. This can happen over decades and is referred to as "insulin resistance".

The primary goal for people suffering from pre-diabetes should be lifestyle change: reduce weight. Pre-diabetic means that you are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. If you're overweight, have a family history of diabetes, develop gestational diabetes while pregnant, or if it runs in your household then pre-diabetes is more likely to progress into type 2 diabetes.

Pre-diabetic means that a patient has been diagnosed as prediabetic – that is, their blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classified as having diabetes. People with pre-diabetes have a greatly increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. One study found that adults who had one or more characteristics of the metabolic syndrome exhibited a 46% reduction in risk for the development of diabetes over 4 years following blinded diagnosis if they took metformin therapy alone or with other agents, compared to those on placebo therapy. In addition, people with pre-metabolic syndrome specifically were found to have 89?creased risks for this development

The term pre-diabetic is typically applied to patients who have impaired glucose tolerance or who are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. A patient is considered a pre-diabetic when he or she has high blood sugar levels that may lead to progression into full-blown diabetes, called Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, but doesn't meet the diagnostic criteria for T2DM. In other words, the cells of this patient's body aren't quite as dysfunctional as those of a diabetic, yet they show signs of dysfunction. This stage falls between normal and diabetic and is sometimes referred to as prediabetes because it puts an individual at "risk" for T2DM development.

A pre-diabetic person is one who exhibits signs that they may be diabetic. The symptoms include stomach pains, frequent urination, and sudden weight loss. Pre-diabetes used to be known as age-related diabetes and are common in adults who are overweight and have high blood pressure or abnormal cholesterol levels. Early-onset of pre-diabetes can lead to both short-term and long-term risks including heart disease, strokes, kidney failure, blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy (Eye) as well as early death for people with type 2 diabetes.

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Walking Meetings via Voice Chat: A Smarter Way to Boost Health and Productivity in Remote Teams

Remote work has transformed how teams collaborate, but it has also increased sedentary behaviour. Long hours of sitting in front of screens contribute to fatigue, musculoskeletal pain and reduced mental focus. In this context, walking meetings conducted via voice chat have emerged as a simple yet effective corporate wellness practice that aligns productivity with health.

Walking meetings do not require additional time, special equipment or complex planning. They simply reimagine how meetings are conducted.

 

The Sedentary Challenge in Remote Work

According to WHO and ICMR data:

  • prolonged sitting increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes and musculoskeletal problems

  • remote employees often sit longer than office-based workers

  • screen fatigue negatively affects mental health and productivity

Traditional video meetings unintentionally reinforce inactivity.

 

What Are Walking Meetings?

Walking meetings are conversations held while participants walk instead of sitting.

In remote settings, these meetings:

  • are conducted via voice calls

  • eliminate the need for video screens

  • allow participants to move freely

They are ideal for one-on-one discussions, team check-ins and brainstorming sessions.

 

Why Voice Chat Works Best for Walking Meetings

Voice-only meetings:

  • reduce screen dependency

  • allow safer movement

  • encourage active listening

Without visual distractions, participants often engage more deeply in conversation.

 

Health Benefits of Walking Meetings

Reduced Sedentary Time

Even short walks help:

  • improve blood circulation

  • reduce stiffness

  • activate muscles

WHO recommends breaking prolonged sitting every 30–60 minutes.

 

Cardiovascular Support

Regular walking:

  • improves heart health

  • lowers blood pressure

  • supports metabolic health

Incorporating movement into meetings contributes to daily activity goals.

 

Musculoskeletal Relief

Walking reduces:

  • neck and back strain

  • shoulder tension

  • joint stiffness

This is particularly valuable for desk-bound employees.

 

Mental Health and Cognitive Benefits

Improved Focus and Creativity

Movement increases blood flow to the brain.

Studies cited by Lancet show that walking enhances:

  • problem-solving

  • creativity

  • memory recall

Many people report clearer thinking during walking discussions.

 

Stress Reduction

Walking helps:

  • lower cortisol levels

  • improve mood

  • reduce mental fatigue

This supports emotional wellbeing in high-pressure work environments.

 

Productivity Benefits for Organisations

Walking meetings:

  • reduce meeting fatigue

  • improve engagement

  • shorten meeting duration due to focused discussion

Employees often return to tasks feeling refreshed rather than drained.

 

Cultural Shift Toward Wellness-Oriented Work

Encouraging walking meetings signals:

  • trust in employees

  • commitment to wellbeing

  • flexibility in work culture

This improves morale and retention.

 

How to Implement Walking Meetings in Remote Teams

Simple steps include:

  • designating certain meetings as “audio-only”

  • encouraging participants to walk indoors or outdoors

  • keeping meetings concise

  • sharing agendas in advance

Clear guidelines ensure safety and effectiveness.

 

Safety and Practical Considerations

Best practices include:

  • avoiding walking in unsafe or crowded areas

  • using earphones for clarity

  • walking at a comfortable pace

  • pausing movement when taking notes

Inclusivity is important—walking should be optional, not mandatory.

 

Who Benefits Most from Walking Meetings?

Walking meetings are especially helpful for:

  • remote workers

  • hybrid teams

  • roles with frequent discussions

  • employees experiencing screen fatigue

They are less suitable for data-heavy presentations.

 

Walking Meetings as Part of Corporate Wellness Programs

Walking meetings complement:

  • ergonomics initiatives

  • mental health programs

  • physical activity challenges

They integrate wellness into daily workflows rather than adding extra tasks.

 

Long-Term Impact on Workplace Health

Over time, organisations adopting movement-friendly practices observe:

  • reduced burnout

  • improved energy levels

  • healthier work routines

Preventive health strategies are most effective when embedded into daily habits.

 

Role of Preventive Healthcare Awareness

NITI Aayog and WHO emphasise lifestyle modification as a core preventive health strategy.

Walking meetings align perfectly with this approach by:

  • reducing inactivity

  • promoting movement

  • supporting mental wellbeing

Small changes deliver cumulative benefits.

 

Conclusion

Walking meetings conducted via voice chat are a practical, low-cost and highly effective way to improve employee health and productivity in remote teams. By replacing sedentary meetings with movement-based conversations, organisations can reduce screen fatigue, enhance focus and support long-term wellbeing. In a remote-first world, walking meetings represent a smarter way to work—where productivity and health move forward together.

 

References

  • World Health Organization (WHO) – Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines
  • Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Lifestyle and Non-Communicable Disease Reports
  • Lancet – Physical Activity, Cognition and Workplace Health Studies

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