November is National Diabetes Month
By Megan
The Gravity of the Issue
November is National Diabetes Month.[1] According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), nearly 21 million Americans live with diabetes; about 10 million of them are women. Moreover, about one-third of people affected by the condition do not know that they have diabetes.[2]
What Is Diabetes?
Type One and Type Two. [3]
Type 1
In Type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin, a hormone that enables the body to convert food into energy. Heart disease, blindness, nerve damage, and kidney damage are just some of the complications that may face a person with Type 1 diabetes.
Type 2
Type 2 diabetes is the more common form of the disease. In Type 2 diabetes, the body does not produce as much insulin as the body needs to be able to convert food into energy. Or in Type 2 diabetes, the cells may ignore the insulin that the body produces. Heart disease, blindness, nerve damage, and kidney damage, again, are some of the complications that a person with Type 2 diabetes might face.
Ask your clinician if you are at risk for either form of diabetes. It tends to run in families; so, if your parents, grandparents, or siblings have diabetes, you are at heightened risk. Your doctor can test for diabetes by performing a glucose test. If you are at risk, or if you already have diabetes, your doctor will help you with a plan of action to keep you healthy.
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Diabetes is less common among whites than among people of color (African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and Asian Americans). According to the ADA, diabetes is at least two to four times more prevalent among African American, Hispanic/Latina, American Indian, and Asian/Pacific Islander women than among white women.[2]
Diabetes has hit my family hard. Both of my maternal grandparents are diabetic. (My mom is Native American.) My paternal grandmother also lives with diabetes. (My dad’s family is from Thailand.) There is much speculation as to why this disproportionate prevalence exists. But, one thing is for sure. Most Americans, regardless of ethnicity, eat a diet higher in calories and sugar and lead a more sedentary life then did their ancestors. This places all Americans at greater risk for health conditions such as diabetes.
Young People Living with Diabetes
Although our risk of developing diabetes grows as we get older, many young people live with diabetes. In fact, the ADA asserts that one in every 400 to 600 children and youth has Type 1 diabetes. According to the ADA, Type 2 diabetes is rarely diagnosed in youth, and when it is diagnosed, it occurs most frequently among Native American, African Americans, and Hispanic American youth.[4]
Take heart. Just because statistics tell us we are more likely to be diagnosed does not mean that we will ever develop diabetes. In fact, a healthy diet and regular exercise are very important in lowering our risk of diabetes. Still, diabetes is a reality for many youth. Although it is a chronic condition (meaning it isn’t something that can be ‘cured’), it can be managed with a healthy lifestyle and help from the doctor. Some diabetics need insulin to manage their condition. Other diabetics do not. Regardless, any diabetic can live long, healthy and happy life.
While dealing with growing up, becoming independent, fitting in, and all the other issues that matter to young people, having to face and cope with a chronic health condition can be extremely stressful; but resources exist to help you. The ADA has a Youth Zone on its Web site. At the Youth Zone, young diabetics can find out more about their condition, get exercise and healthy eating tips, and find out how to connect with other young diabetics.[5] Visit http://www.diabetes.org/youthzone/youth-zone.jsp
How Can We Protect Ourselves
Eating right and being physically active are two things we can do to lessen our chances of becoming diabetic.
- Make healthy food choices when you can, including lots of fruit, vegetables, and high-fiber foods.
- Health officials say that you can lower your risk of diabetes by over fifty-percent by reducing your body weight by five to 10 percent AND by getting 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day. Moderate exercise means you break a sweat but can also respond easily if someone asks you a question). For example, my doctor says that, at 5’5” and 170 pounds, my sedentary lifestyle and family history of diabetes put me at heightened risk for diabetes. My doctor also says that I can help lower my risk by losing weight and exercising every day.
Dealing with the risk of diabetes or with the condition itself is complicated. We have to talk about weight, diet, and exercise. It isn’t about having the impossible ‘perfect’ body; it’s about being healthy – regardless of whether we have diabetes.
References
- White House Proclamation. National Diabetes Month, 2005. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/11/20051102-8.html.
- American Diabetes Association. Women and Diabetes.
http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/women-diabetes.jsp
- American Diabetes Association. All About Diabetes.
http://www.diabetes.org/about-diabetes.jsp.
- National Diabetes Fact Sheet. http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-statistics.jsp
- American Diabetes Association Youth Zone. http://www.diabetes.org/youthzone/youth-zone.jsp.
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