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Diabetes is a condition in which the body has trouble making or using insulin. Insulin is a hormone that controls the amount of glucose (sugar) in our blood. When a person has diabetes, the body makes no insulin, too little insulin, or insulin that does not work right. This results in high blood glucose.
Over time, high blood glucose can lead to vision loss or even blindness. It also can harm your kidneys, blood vessels, and nerves. People with diabetes have a higher chance of developing high blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease.
Some factors that may increase your risk of developing diabetes are:
Heredity: If one of your parents, grandparents, or siblings had diabetes, you are more likely to have the disease.
Age: Your body makes less insulin as you age.
Race: If you are Hispanic, African American, American Indian, or Asian American, you have a higher risk of developing diabetes.
Gestational Diabetes: If you had diabetes while you were pregnant or gave birth to a baby weighing nine pounds or more, you have a greater risk of developing the disease later in life.
Obesity: Weighing more than is healthy for your height increases your chance of developing diabetes.
People with a large amount of body fat, especially around their waist, are at risk for diseases such as diabetes. Use this chart to see if you are above a healthy weight for your height. For more specific information, see the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005.
Height |
Healthy Weight (lbs) |
Overweight (lbs) |
5 |
97 to 123 |
128 to 148 |
5' 2” |
104 to 131 |
136 to 158 |
5' 4” |
110 to 140 |
145 to 169 |
5' 6” |
118 to 148 |
155 to 179 |
5' 8” |
125 to 158 |
164 to 190 |
5' 10” |
132 to 167 |
174 to 202 |
6 |
140 to 177 |
184 to 213 |
6' 2” |
148 to 186 |
194 to 225 |
Millions of Americans have diabetes, and half of them don't even know it! People with diabetes may have different symptoms. They may experience all, some, or none of the following:
A need to urinate often (even at night)
Constant thirst or hunger
Weight loss that cannot be explained
Dry or itchy skin
Skin infections
Slow healing of cuts
Numbness or tingling in feet or hands
Blurry vision
A doctor can determine if you have diabetes. If you have any of the above symptoms, visit your doctor and find out! The sooner you know that you have diabetes, the sooner you can take charge of your condition. This will help you feel better and lower your risk for health complications.
In most cases of diabetes, there is no cure. But diabetes can be controlled. Controlling diabetes means keeping your blood glucose at a normal level. You can do this with a proper diet and regular exercise. Some people also may need oral medication or insulin injections. By controlling your blood glucose, you reduce your risk of health complications.
Keep your blood glucose under control.
Lose weight, if you are overweight.
Be physically active every day.
Have your eyes and your blood pressure checked regularly.
Don't smoke!
Have a health professional check your feet at least once a year; check them yourself every day.
Follow a healthy diet.
Have your teeth cleaned and checked at least twice a year.
Low in fat, saturated and trans fat.
Choose foods with fiber, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Eat fewer concentrated sweets, such as sugar, honey, candy, regular soft drinks and sweet tea.
Cut down on foods high in salt and sodium.
• Before you drink alcohol, ask your health care provider for advice.
If you have diabetes, a registered dietitian (RD) can design an eating plan that is right for you.
American Diabetes Association
Toll free 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) (available in English and Spanish).
A registered dietitian (RD)
You can find an RD in your area through The American Dietetic Association at their toll free number, 1-800-366-1655 (available in English and Spanish).
Your local county Extension agent
Look for “Cooperative Extension Service” in the blue pages of your telephone book; in Florida you can find your county Extension office at the University of Florida IFAS Extension Web site: http://extension.ifas.ufl.edu
Your local Area Agency on Aging
May be listed in the Business section in your telephone book; in Florida find your local Area Agency on Agency at the Florida Department of Elder Affairs Web site: http://elderaffairs.state.fl.us
USDA and USDHHS. Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005
Available at: http://www.usda.gov/cnpp/
This document is FCS8574-Eng, one of a series of the Family Youth and Community Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. This publication was developed with funding from the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, in partenership with state, county, and local agencies. Original publication date March 29, 2000. Revised: January 2006. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
Linda B. Bobroff, Ph.D., RD, LD/N., professor; Karla P. Shelnutt, Ph.D., RD, ENAFS Coordinator, Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611, and Paulina Wittkowsky, MS, RD, formerly with the University of Florida.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal
Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational
information and other services only to individuals and institutions
that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed,
color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital
status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations.
For more information on obtaining other extension publications,
contact your county Cooperative Extension service.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service,
University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative
Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy,
Interim Dean.