In the U.S., more than 5,000 people a day are diagnosed with diabetes; 95 percent of them Type 2. For these people, being overweight or obese is often what tipped them into full-blown diabetes, and if they continue to gain weight after diagnosis, their risk of diabetic complications soars.

A study in the journal Clinical Epidemiology tracked people for four years after diabetes diagnosis and found that only 10% of them lost weight, and around 3% put on pounds.

For those whose weight went up, so did their health challenges. They were almost three times more likely to develop microvascular complications such as retinopathy, kidney disease, and nerve damage, as well as macrovascular complications such as heart attack or stroke, compared to those who stayed the same weight.

Losing even 5% of body weight after diagnosis is associated with improved glucose control, less need for diabetes medications, and a lower risk of complications.

After diabetes diagnosis, do yourself and your children a favor and work toward a healthy weight. We say that because if you're overweight and have diabetes, your child is likely headed that way as well. A study in the journal Pediatric Obesity found that 82% of parents were overweight or obese and almost 54% of their kids were too.

To reduce the risks associated with diabetes for yourself — and your kids — adopt a family plan to upgrade meals (no added sugars or ultra-processed foods) and get regular physical activity together. Walking with your kids is key.