| In August it was announced that the obesity | | | | glucose levels in the pre-diabetic range |
| rate in Mississippi had reached greater than | | | | (elevated, but not quite in need of medical |
| 30 percent of the population for the first | | | | treatment) can delay the onset of the disease |
| time in history. Mississippi is not alone. | | | | or avoid ever developing it by losing just 10 |
| According to a study by the Trust for | | | | to 15 pounds. The American Diabetes |
| America's Health which compiled statistics | | | | Association estimates that 53 million adult |
| gathered between 2004 and 2006 from the U.S. | | | | Americans are in the pre-diabetic range. |
| Centers for Disease Control, twenty-one other | | | | |
| states had increases in the rates of adult | | | | What can be done to manage type 2 diabetes |
| obesity as well. | | | | once it is diagnosed? Strict management of |
| | | | blood glucose levels is imperative. It is |
| The skyrocketing obesity rate is linked to | | | | important to monitor blood glucose levels |
| the surge in diagnoses of type 2 diabetes | | | | regularly. |
| among Americans. Type 2 diabetes occurs when | | | | |
| the body does not produce enough insulin or | | | | Healthy eating and exercise also affect blood |
| is unable to efficiently utilize its insulin | | | | glucose levels. When eating, choose low fat |
| which results in high blood glucose (sugar) | | | | options and whole grains over foods high in |
| levels. Over time, elevated levels of glucose | | | | fat and heavily refined. Add vegetables to |
| cause blindness, heart disease, stroke, | | | | your diet and eat fruits rather than sweets. |
| kidney failure, and circulatory problems that | | | | Get up and move more. It's not necessary to |
| can end in amputation. | | | | join a gym. Try using the stairs instead of |
| | | | the elevator or taking a walk. It's easier to |
| While type 1 diabetes is generally diagnosed | | | | incorporate a change in lifestyle when it is |
| early in life and strictly managed, type 2 | | | | done slowly over time. But a healthy change |
| patients may not even know they have the | | | | in lifestyle won't always lower the blood |
| disease until they are being diagnosed with | | | | glucose levels enough to manage the disease |
| kidney failure or other complications. Type 2 | | | | once it develops. A doctor may prescribe |
| affects overweight people more than any | | | | medication, or a combination of medications, |
| other. It is also more common in African | | | | in addition to diet and exercise in order to |
| Americans, Asians, Latinos, and Native | | | | control blood glucose. |
| Americans. | | | | |
| | | | If you are concerned about your risk for |
| What can be done to treat the disease? A | | | | developing type 2 diabetes, visit the |
| simple lifestyle change could be the answer. | | | | American Diabetes Association and take their |
| Diet and exercise have a great impact on the | | | | online screening test at and consult your |
| management of type 2 diabetes. In fact, | | | | doctor. |
| studies suggest that a patient with fasting | | | | |