Are You Ready For A Challenge?

The American Diabetes Association has issued a challenge to Americans -- a challenge that will only take a few minutes but could save a life.

Starting Tuesday, March 22 -- which is the 23rd annual American Diabetes Association Alert Day -- through April 22, the public is asked to "Join the Million Challenge" and take the Diabetes Risk Test to find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. People can take the Diabetes Risk Test by visiting here.

In late January, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new diabetes statistics showing one in three American adults are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Out of the nearly 26 million Americans with diabetes, one-fourth of them do not realize they have the disease.

"Diabetes is a public health crisis of epidemic proportions. Diabetes Alert Day has become more relevant and more critical than ever to help identify the undiagnosed and those at risk for type 2 diabetes," commented Elizabeth Mayer-Davis, PhD, RD, President, Health Care & Education, American Diabetes Association. "Awareness is vitally important in the effort to Stop Diabetes®. Once you are aware that you are at risk for diabetes, there are many steps you can take to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes. In addition, if you find out you have diabetes, there are many things you can do to prevent or delay its complications."

Join the Million Challenge

At the end of 2010, the American Diabetes Association surpassed their goal of inspiring one million Americans to be a part of the American Diabetes Association's movement to Stop Diabetes®. To continue this momentum, the Association is asking the public to "Join the Million Challenge" by rallying one million people to take the Diabetes Risk Test and find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes from March 22 through April 22, 2011.

The Diabetes Risk Test requires users to answer simple questions about weight, age, family history and other potential risk factors for diabetes. If they are at high risk, they are encouraged to speak with their health care provider. The public can "Join the Million Challenge" by getting a free Diabetes Risk Test (English or Spanish) by visiting here.

Diabetes Awareness and Prevention

Out of the nearly 26 million Americans with diabetes, 7 million people are living with diabetes but have yet to be diagnosed. Diabetes symptoms can include frequent urination, blurred vision and excessive thirst, although most people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes do not show these overt warning signs at the time that they develop the disease.

The primary risk factors for type 2 diabetes are being overweight, sedentary, over the age of 45 and having a family history of diabetes. African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are at an increased risk, as are women who have had babies weighing more than nine pounds at birth.

For many, diagnosis may come seven to ten years after the actual onset of the disease, often only after patients already have started to suffer one or more complications of diabetes. Therefore, early diagnosis is critical to successful treatment and delaying or preventing some of its complications such as heart disease, blindness kidney disease, stroke, amputation and death.

In addition, approximately 79 million, or one in three American adults have prediabetes, which means that their blood glucose (sugar) is higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Without intervention, individuals with prediabetes are at a much higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by losing just 7% of body weight (such as 15 pounds if you weigh 200) through regular physical activity (30 minutes a day, five days a week) and healthy eating.

The Association is encouraging the public to help spread the word about Diabetes Alert Day through social media.

Source: American Diabetes Association

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