November — Diabetes Awareness Month
November Health Focus: Week 1
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which high levels of sugar (glucose) build up in the bloodstream. More than 34 million individuals in the United States have diabetes — about one third of them do not even know they have it. The number of people diagnosed with diabetes has been increasing since 1997. The numbers increased from 5% of Americans to more than 9% today.
Prevalence and Types of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that usually is diagnosed in children and young adults. The causes are largely unknown but it is believed that heredity and family history play an important role.
Risk Factors for Type 1 Diabetes
Researchers know a lot more about the risk factors for Type 2 diabetes and a family history of diabetes is a good pre-determinant of risk. Other major contributing factors include obesity, carrying weight around your waist, prediabetes, and physical inactivity. Some medications increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes
Watch this video to learn about insulin’s importance and its relationship to diabetes.
Body mass index (BMI) is a number that relates weight to height and is a tool used to calculate if you are at a healthy weight. Waist circumference is tool used to measure abdominal fat.
Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference
Watch this video to learn what fat is bad fat?
Cook up something new!