November is Diabetes Awareness Month

Mississippi leads the nation per capita in the number of people with diabetes, with more than 345,000 Mississippians having diabetes. More than 115, 000 of those are still undiagnosed. Nearly 21 million children and adults in the U.S. have been diagnosed with diabetes, and another 54 million people are at-risk of developing the disease. If the upward trend doesn't change, one in three Americans will develop diabetes in his or her lifetime. Diabetes is among the fastest-growing health concerns in the nation and can lead to a host of other health problems including heart and kidney disease, as well as stroke. There are four types of diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, occurs when the body does not produce insulin at all.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. With this form of diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. When this happens, glucose builds up in the blood leaving cells starved for energy and damaging your body’s organs.

Gestational diabetes affects pregnant women. There are about 135,000 cases in the US annually. That is four percent of all pregnant American women.

Pre-diabetes is a condition that occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. There are 54 million Americans who have pre-diabetes and having this condition puts you at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common and can often be prevented, and even reversed, by making simple changes in your life, starting with eating healthy and exercising regularly. A diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help you get healthy or stay healthy. Also, if you are overweight, losing excess pounds can reduce your risk even more. Exercise also plays an important role in managing your health. Exercise can help you shed extra weight or help you maintain a healthy weight. Try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week.

For more information on living a healthy, active lifestyle, visit our website.

Information on the Let's Go Walkin' Mississippi website can also help you begin a walking program and find places to walk. You can even track your progress online!

The American Diabetes Association's website also features a variety of information on preventing diabetes, as well as information for people living with diabetes.