BFR Sports & Fitness will partner with the American Diabetes Association for the annual Diabetes Alert Day on Monday, March 26, according to Carole Enneking, direcector.

Held every fourth Tuesday in March, the Alert Day 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. 

A free information booth, staffed by Jessica McDonald (Bluffton University Graduate Student in Dietetics), Jennifer Little (Dietician & Graduate Student Coordinator) and Kaitlyn Kelly (BU Wellness major), will be available from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the BFR lobby (located at 215 Snider Road in Bluffton).

Copies of the Risk Test as well as information about the relationship of exercise and diet to blood sugar levels will be available.

Diabetes by the Numbers
Diabetes is a serious disease that strikes nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States, and a quarter of them—7 million—do not even know they have it. An additional 79 million, or one in three American adults, have prediabetes, which puts them at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Recent estimates project that as many as one in three American adults will have diabetes in 2050 unless we take the steps to Stop
Diabetes.

Are You at Risk?
Everyone should be aware of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes.  People who are overweight, under active (living a sedentary lifestyle) and over the age of 45 should consider themselves at risk for the disease.  African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and people who have a family history of the disease also are at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes.

Unfortunately, diagnosis often comes 7 to 10 years after the onset of the disease, after disabling and even deadly complications have had time to develop.  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.

Take Charge of Your Health
Studies have shown that type 2 diabetes can often 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.  By understanding your risk, you can take the necessary steps to help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes.

The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. For more information call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org.

For information about BFR's event, contact Carole Enneking 419-358-4150.