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The American Diabetes
Association tells us that more than 21 million Americans
have diabetes. There are millions more who have pre diabetes
most of whom don't even know it. The people who are most at
risk of getting diabetes have several risk factors in
common-the ones they can control and the ones they can't
control.
The CONTROLLABLE risk factors are:
WEIGHT Too much body fat particularly around the mid
section.
SMOKING Smoking makes it more difficult to get your
blood sugar under control.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE A direct result of being
overweight and a risk factor for other serious diseases.
HIGH CHOLESTEROL A direct result of diet and indirectly
weight.
INACTIVITY A by product of weight.
DEPRESSION People who are depressed often are
inactive and gain weight.
The UNCONTROLLABLE risk factors are:
FAMILY HISTORY If mom or pop had it your chances of
getting it are greatly increased.
ECONOMIC STATUS There is a growing amount of
scientific evidence that relates income levels to diet which
relates directly to obesity. I have had a gut feeling that
obesity is more a problem of the poor than the well to do.
These studies seem to bear this out. In other words, poorer
folks don't eat as well which leads to obesity.
AGE If you are over 40 you are more likely to get
type 2 diabetes. Guess why? After 40 your metabolism slows
down, you're less active, etc. You are more likely to gain
weight and on and on.
ETHNICITY Latinos, Hispanics, Native Americans,
African Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Asian Americans
are all more likely to get type 2 diabetes
GESTATIONAL DIABETES Women who have had a baby
weighing more that 9 pounds or who have had diabetes during
pregnancy are more likely to have diabetes.!
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