Diabetes: Did you know?

Megan Roberts

Out of the 29.1 million people in the United States estimated to have Diabetes only 21 million of those are actually aware/diagnosed? That’s one in four people that do not know they have Diabetes.

More than 5,000 youth are diagnosed each year. These numbers continue to increase as the prevalence of obesity (risk factor for Type 2 Diabetes) in our youth rises.

Over the years, as awareness of Diabetes has come to national attention, so have many misinterpretations and ‘myths’ associated with Diabetes.

Here are a few …

Myth: “Diabetes is not that serious of a disease, I feel fine.”

Fact: Diabetes is a growing epidemic with a devastating physical, emotional and financial toll on our country. Diabetes causes more deaths per year than breast cancer and AIDs combined. 2 out of 3 people with Diabetes die from either heart disease or stroke.

Myth: “It’s possible to have ‘just a touch’ or ‘a little’ Diabetes.”

Fact: There is no such thing as ‘just a touch or ‘a little’ Diabetes, you either have Diabetes or you don’t.

Myth: “You have to lose a lot of weight for your Diabetes to improve.”

Fact: Losing just 7 percent of total body weight can offer significant health benefits-about 15 pounds if you weigh 200.

Myth: “I can’t eat sweets on a diabetic diet.”

Fact: People with diabetes can still enjoy the foods they love. Portion sizes are important to keep blood sugars in check.

Myth: “Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.”

Fact: Eating high-sugar foods is not directly linked to the development of diabetes. However, eating too many sugary foods can lead to weight gain, which does increase your chance for developing diabetes.