Did you know that one-third of the people living with diabetes today don't even know they have it? Could you be one of them?
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has designated the fourth Tuesday in the month of March — March 25 this year — as Diabetes Alert Day. Use this day as your wake-up call about diabetes, to both its risk factors and the seriousness of the disease.
Here are a few facts about diabetes from the American Diabetes Association:
- 1 in 5 Americans is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
- If the present trend continues, 1 in 3 Americans will develop diabetes in their lifetime.
- The risk of death for people with diabetes is about twice that of people without diabetes of comparable age.
Now take the Diabetes Risk Test — just seven simple questions that will quickly alert you if you are at risk for diabetes. If your score is 10 points or higher, you should see a doctor.
You can help yourself prevent type 2 diabetes by:
- Maintaining a healthy body weight or losing weight if you are overweight
- Decreasing your fat and calorie intake
- Engaging in regular physical activity for at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week
Take charge of your health — and find out if you are at risk for diabetes. If you are, see your doctor to be tested. Don't delay; your health is at stake.
