Tammy Roberts, MS, RD, LD, Nutrition and Health Education Specialist, University of Missouri Extension
The American Diabetes Association wants people to find out if they are at risk for diabetes. An annual date has been set so people will set aside time in their schedule to find out. On the fourth Tuesday in March, take the Diabetes Risk Test to see if you are at risk for type 2 diabetes.
To take the risk test, you can go to the American Diabetes Association website or call toll free: 1-800-342-2383 to get a brochure with the test by mail.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t make enough insulin or the body becomes unable to utilize the insulin it makes. Insulin is important because it is essentially the key that unlocks cells to allow the glucose or sugar to go inside. If the glucose cannot get inside the cell, it builds up in the blood and can cause damage.
Anyone who is over the age of 45, under active and overweight should consider themselves at risk for diabetes. You may also be at risk if you have high triglycerides, high cholesterol, you have an immediate family member with diabetes, you had gestational diabetes or you delivered a baby that weighed more than nine pounds…
To learn more about symptoms and treatment for type 2 diabetes, see the full version of this article at http://missourifamilies.org/
