Today is the day....its the 23rd annual American Diabetes Association Alert Day, a one-day, “wake-up” call asking Americans to “Join the Million Challenge” by taking the Diabetes Risk Test and find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes and if they are at high risk, to speak with their health care provider.
Some facts you should know about Diabetes:
1-Diabetes is a devastating disease that affects nearly 26 million Americans
2-1/4 of those affected by diabetes are not aware that they have the disease.
3-If current trends continue, one in three American adults will have diabetes by 2050.
4- Approximately 79 million, or one in three American adults have prediabetes, which means that their blood glucose (sugar) is higher than normal but is not high enough to be classified as diabetes.
5- People with Type 2 Diabetes can live for years without realizing that they have this serious disease.
Seeking to change the future of diabetes, the American Diabetes Association is using Diabetes Alert Day to help identify the undiagnosed and those at risk for type 2 diabetes by educating people about diabetes risk factors and warning signs.
Studies have shown that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by losing just 7% of body weight (15 pounds if you weigh 200) through regular physical activity (30 minutes a day, five days a week) and healthy eating
To help people determine their risk for type 2 diabetes, the American Diabetes Association provides the Diabetes Risk Test, which entails answering simple questions about weight, age, family history and other potential risk factors for diabetes. People at high risk are encouraged to speak with their health care providers. You can “Join the Million Challenge” by getting your free Diabetes Risk Test (English or Spanish) at www.stopdiabetes.com, 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or text JOIN to 69866 (Standard data and message rates apply). Although Diabetes Alert Day is a one-day event, the Diabetes Risk Test is available year round.
