By Cathy Rogers, Family & Consumer Sciences Extension Agent II at UF-IFAS Extension-Suwannee County
Reviewed by Karla Shelnutt, PhD, Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, University of Florida, and Linda Bobroff, PhD, Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences
I bet your answer to that question is: “I don’t know, but probably not.” Most people don’t believe bad things will happen to them. We probably think this way because it helps us avoid scary thoughts about our future, but it may not motivate us. The other side to that coin is that if we do believe we are at risk for a chronic disease like diabetes, we may change certain behaviors in order to lower our risk.
March 25th is American Diabetes Association Alert Day®. This is a one-day “wake-up call” asking the American public to take the Diabetes Risk Test to find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by either a lack of insulin or the body’s inability to use insulin efficiently. It develops most often in middle-aged and older adults, but can appear in young people.
Although the test is available year-round, the corporate sponsor, Boar’s Head Brand®, will donate $5 for each test taken between March 25th and April 25th, 2014, up to $50,000. Walgreens is another sponsor for Diabetes Alert Day, and you can ask your local Walgreens pharmacist for a copy of the Diabetes Risk Test. You also can find the test on the web at Diabetes RiskTest or by calling 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383). Last year, over 39,000 people took the Diabetes Risk Test during March, with 37 percent of them finding out that they were at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
The test asks users to answer simple questions about their weight, age, family history, and other potential risk factors for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Preventive tips are provided for everyone who takes the test, including encouraging those at high risk to talk with their health care provider. It is important to remember that even if your risk is low, only your health care provider can tell you for sure if you do or do not have prediabetes or diabetes.
Certain risk factors are not under our control, such as:
- age
- gender
- ethnicity
- family history
However, some factors we can control may affect our risk. These include:
- smoking
- activity levels
- what and how much we eat
Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes that really fits into both categories. Although we can’t control the genetic influences on our body weight, we can control what and how much we eat and our physical activity, which also affects our body weight.
Early intervention via lifestyle changes, such as increased physical activity, improved eating habits, and weight loss, can delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that type 2 diabetes often can be prevented or delayed by losing just 7 percent of body weight through regular physical activity (30 minutes a day, five days a week) and healthy eating. This would be a loss of only 14 pounds for someone who starts out weighing 200 pounds.
The National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) is available at a number of Extension offices as well as other sites. The NDPP is based on a large research study that proved that lifestyle changes and modest weight loss can decrease diabetes risk in those at high risk. The NDPP is designed to help people at risk for diabetes become motivated to make small changes that make a big difference in improving their health.
Start living a healthy and active lifestyle, and take the Diabetes Risk Test NOW!
Further Reading
UF-EDIS consumer publications on diabetes
(Photo credit: Family eating lunch by The National Cancer Institute. Public domain.)
References:
American Diabetes Association (2014). American Diabetes Association Diabetes Alert Day. Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/are-you-at-risk/alert-day/
American Diabetes Association (2014). Type 2 Diabetes risk test. http://www.diabetes.org/are-you-at-risk/diabetes-risk-test/?utm_source=Offline&utm_medium=Print&utm_content=risktest&utm_campaign=RISK
Centers for Disease Control. (2014). Prediabetes. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/consumer/prediabetes.htm
Centers for Disease Control. (2014). Basics about diabetes. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/consumer/learn.htm
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Comments:
December 10, 2019
I love using a bread machine, too! Thanks for the recipe, it's great finding something new to experiment with. I mostly use the basic cycle because I love basic white bread but, from time to time, it's nice trying something new.
March 20, 2017
Very interesting information, thank u grosir obat herbal
November 17, 2014
This recipe is amazing and delicious and you don't have to knead it. You can sub in whole wheat flour for about 50% of the flour, but may need to add more water, and the loaf will be flatter. The long rise and high water content give it amazing flavor and texture. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/08/dining/081mrex.html?_r=0 I also use this recipe, which makes two loaves and is sort of similar, but not the same. Again, you can sub in whole wheat flour for about 50%. I also like to add sesame seeds. I make this one in traditional loaf pans with a silicone liner (otherwise it will stick) so it can be used for sandwiches more easily. I used to make this recipe every week but haven't been getting around to it lately. http://www.splendidtable.org/recipes/five-minute-artisan-bread
November 11, 2014
I am sharing this blog with all of my students' families. Beautifully written!
October 15, 2014
I've never seen meat on BOGO! I've seen sales on cost per pound, but how do they provide them as BOGO? Would like more information about this as that would be a tremendous savings and a do have a freezer.
October 15, 2014
And then there's the snack provided to the kids after the game! (I can go for fruit and water, but that is not what tends to be provided) Fortunately, the stand turns out to be not that visible to the kids...they didn't notice it, at least this first time.
October 15, 2014
Thanks for sharing this Carol. Those concession stands were always a concern for me, as a nutritionist and mom interested in healthy eating for my family. We almost never bought anything, which made me feel a bit guilty that I was not supporting the team, but I figured that our health was more important than a few dollars for the team. Not only do those foods provide more fat, sodium, and/or added sugars than most people need, they tend to fill you up so that you may not eat a healthy dinner after the game. Of course, that was the other annoying part of soccer games ... the team always wanted to stop at McDonald's after the game! Oh my ...
October 10, 2014
Hi Selina, You may be looking for a point of contact with the UF FYCS department? I will send you an email with the appropriate info. :)
October 10, 2014
Hi, We need you in the community for purpose of educating youth on your resources. Is this the source of contact to participate in an upcoming event. Please reply at e-mail if so. Agriculture Dept has participated in a previous event with our organization. Thanks so much for the plethora of info that comes from your letters. we appreciate you. Selina Lee
October 9, 2014
My family is totally converted to no-cook overnight oatmeal, whch we had never tried before this post! My daughter loves banana-peanut butter with a tiny bit of chopped dark chocolate, and my son likes apple-cinnamon. I am not a morning person, so I love that I can make it the night before!!
September 25, 2014
I appreciate and agree with your comments, Kevin. Martial Arts are a special way to develop special talents that have gone by the wayside because we are too busy to slow down and realize that past practices, in many instances, still work well in our modern society -- especially with youth.
September 25, 2014
You raise a nice set of points there and maybe I can help expand them. I've studied for a long time, and one thing that is earned in training is a sense of community developing from common goals and collective perseverance. It is struggling together. It is setting unattainable goals, but then getting to them. "Special training" sessions are weekends of intense training that is awful. But you survive it and come out stronger. Nobody is a star. We're reminded that we can always do better and strive for perfection. You are always a student and learning, even when you're teaching. Those are some of the best lessons that can be learned and why kids should be involved in martial arts.
September 17, 2014
These are great suggestions. Wish I had time to try more of them than I will be able to try! Thanks for putting these together in one place ... great resource.
September 8, 2014
Yes, a lot of people seem to like those flavored waters and sparkling waters. Call me a seltzer purist! Sometimes I do mix seltzer with orange juice or grape juice for a sparkly drink, so I'm not "pure" all the time ...
September 5, 2014
I find that if I carry a refillable water bottle with me I drink more during the day. I also prefer lemon sparkling water, with natural flavors. No calories, no sugar, no fat yet I get the bubbles!
September 4, 2014
I'm actually not a big fan of water either, but I really enjoy seltzer, so that is my beverage of choice for hydration. You might try that and see if it works for you. No calories, no sugar ... great choice for thirst quenching.
September 4, 2014
It should be easy for me to drink more water, but somehow I don't. Thanks for the inspiration.
September 3, 2014
This is a great blog post -- really enjoyed reading about this research and the fact that it demonstrated what I have long thought about this amazing book series -- that it has extremely positive messages and much to teach young people (and adults as well). One only has to be concerned about those readers who relate more to Malfoy or Voldemort than to Harry and his buddies ...
August 28, 2014
Howdy! I'm at work browsing your blog from my new apple iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the fantastic work!
August 26, 2014
Everything is very open with a clear description of the challenges. It was really informative. Your site is very useful. Thanks for sharing!
August 11, 2014
Excellent! We found some deals from online websites as well. This did require us to order two weeks ago or else we would not have had it arrive in time...
August 11, 2014
Just did my family's back to school shopping--I was able to find a $10 off coupon using a couponing app! :)
August 5, 2014
Good catch! Hopefully readers will still focus on the bottom line of this blog that suggests that consumers should be aware that many so-called super foods do not have super powers.
July 31, 2014
"Antioxidants protect your cells from damage and can boost your immune system." Umm, no. Nothing "boots your immune system", that's just one of those nonsense phrases from the alt-med & supplements community who think scientifical language legitimizes their claim. http://www.skepticalraptor.com/skepticalraptorblog.php/boosting-immune-system-sorting-science-myth/ You're right to be wary of "superfood" claims, but also beware of false concepts like immune system boosting.
April 15, 2014
good article, thanks for information
March 25, 2014
Getting a diagnosis is so important so that people can either make changes to reduce their risk of diabetes or begin to manage the disease if they already have it. In either case, lifestyle management can make a big difference in quality of life and long-term health. Thanks for the information about the on-line Diabetes Risk Test -- hopefully many people will take advantage of it.
March 25, 2014
Hey! AWESOME!! Thanks for the great info!!
March 20, 2014
Great addition. It is important that we check charges in bank statement, credit card statements, utilities, everything. Being a good consumer truly takes action on our part.
March 19, 2014
Good post. You mentioned here: "Be alert for bills, mail, or account statements that don’t arrive on time". To add to this, many people do not check their bank statements often enough to catch fraudulent activity in a timely manner. It is always a good thing to be mindful of the charges debiting an account and not take for granted that all charges are going to be legit.
March 1, 2014
This is great especially for people like me that needs financial help and assistance. I'll for sure share this to my friends. Thank you ecourtney. :)
February 13, 2014
Well said, I too have a growing collection of art projects and cards from my kids. I treasure these. In fact my wife still has a poem I wrote for her while we were dating in graduate school. She eventually had it mounted onto a plaque several years after we were married.
February 12, 2014
This is a good reminder about what is really important on this holiday. It made me think about all of those cards I made for my parents when I was in elementary school ....you know the ones with red paper and doilies! My mom kept those thoughtful (and cheap) cards for years and I too have some that my son made for me. Guess it is the thought that counts (although chocolate is really fun to get too, I must admit ...)!
Comments are closed.