Could You Be At Risk For Diabetes?

Could You Have Diabetes?
Diabetes is a silent disease. You can have it for years and not know it. During this time, harm to your eyes, nerves, and kidneys may have been going on for seven to ten years.

What is Diabetes?
Diabetes means that your blood sugar is too high. Your blood always has some sugar in it because the body needs sugar for energy to keep you going. But too much sugar in the blood is not good for your health.

Who's at Risk for Diabetes?
Your risk for diabetes goes up as you get older, gain too much weight, or if you do not stay active. Diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Risk factors for diabetes includes:
·Having high blood pressure (at or above 130/85)
·Having a family history of diabetes
·Having diabetes during pregnancy or having a baby weighing more than nine pounds at birth

Don't Wait for Signs
Most people with diabetes do not notice any symptoms. However, if you have any of these symptoms, contact your health care provider right away:
·Being very thirsty
·Urinating often
·Losing weight without trying

At-Risk Weight Chart Body Mass Index
4' 10" - 129 lbs
4' 11" - 133 lbs
5'0" - 138 lbs
5' 1" - 143 lbs
5' 2" - 147 lbs
5' 3" - 152 lbs
5' 4" - 157 lbs
5' 5" - 162 lbs
5' 6" - 167 lbs
5' 7" - 172 lbs
5' 8" - 177 lbs
5' 9" - 182 lbs
5' 10" - 188 lbs
5' 11" - 193 lbs
6' 0" - 199 lbs
6' 1" - 204 lbs
6' 2" - 210 lbs
6' 3" - 216 lbs
6' 4" - 221 lbs

If you weight the same as or more than the amount listed for your height, you may be at risk for diabetes. For more information, call 1-800-Diabetes (342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org

What Can You Do?
You can do things now to lower your risk for diabetes by:
·Keeping your weight in control
·Staying active most days of the week
·Eating low fat meals that are high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods.

Free Diabetic Newsletter
The Hall County Extension Service and University of Georgia provides a free bi-monthly newsletter. This newsletter is available in English or Spanish. To sign up, please call my office at 770-535-8290.

Diabetes Program
I will be presenting a program along with Marie Thompson with the District Health Dept. on "Understanding Diabetes." The program is free. It will be held March 18, 10:30-11:15 at the Gainesville/Hall County Senior Center. To register, please call my office.

Debbie Wilburn is County Agent/Family and Consumer Science Agent with the Hall (770)535-8290 and the Forsyth (770)887-2418 County Extension Service.