Are You Ready for American Diabetes Month?

November is American Diabetes Month, devoted to increasing awareness about diabetes and educating people about the prevention and treatment of diabetes. We all need to pay attention to this increasing epidemic.

Some alarming facts about diabetes:

1 in 3 American children born this year will develop diabetes if they follow the typical American diet and lifestyle.

Every 20 seconds someone is diagnosed with diabetes.

Diabetes is the #1 cause of blindness in adults.

Diabetes is one of the strongest risk factors for heart disease and stroke in both men and women. Adults with diabetes are at a 2 to 6 times higher risk of having a heart attack.

The American Diabetes Association has just released some great new educational videos covering a multitude of diabetes lifestyle and management tips. Go to www.libertymedical.com to view free.

Also during the month of November help get the message out there to both adults and kids about the risks associated with diabetes, prevention tips and the importance of appropriate management.

Why should you get involved? Someone you know either has diabetes or is at risk to develop diabetes (maybe even you).

Two of the most important things to do to prevent diabetes:

1) Maintain a healthy weight AND waist (men’s waist circumference should be less than 40 inches and women’s waist circumference should be less than 35 inches)

2) Get a moderate amount of exercise daily

“Take Charge: A Woman’s Guide to a Healthier Heart” discusses how women can control their risk factors to prevent a heart attack, stroke and diabetes. Also include info for women with diabetes – how to control your risk factors to prevent heart disease.

“Take Charge: A Man’s Roadmap to a Healthier Heart” is due to be released Fall 2009. For more info visit www.heart-strong.com