Tahlequah, OK The U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services National Diabetes Education Program is offering a
free fat and calorie counter that contains a list of foods commonly
eaten by American Indians and Alaska Natives.
This food list helps people keep track of fat grams and calories
eaten so that they can choose the healthiest food options. People
may order the fat and calorie counter by emailing aianpt@cdc.gov
or visiting or go to http://ndep.nih.gov/media/AIAN-Fat-Calorie-Counter-508.pdf.
The NDEP said the list is another tool to help Native people
with diabetes live longer, healthier lives.
Diabetes is a group of diseases marked by high levels of blood
glucose resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action
or both. Diabetes can lead to serious complications and premature
death, but people with diabetes can take steps to control the disease
and lower the risk of complications.
Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90 to 95 percent of all diagnosed
cases of diabetes in adults. The disease occurs when the body does
not make enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it makes effectively.
This form of diabetes usually develops in adults over the age of
40 but is becoming more prevalent in younger age groups including
children and adolescents.
The symptoms of Type 2 diabetes feeling tired or ill,
unusual thirst, frequent urination (especially at night), weight
loss, blurred vision, frequent infections and slow-healing wounds
may develop gradually and may not be as noticeable as in
Type 1 diabetes. Some people have no symptoms.
A person is more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes if they have
a family history of diabetes, are a member of an ethnic group like
American Indians and Alaska Natives, are overweight or obese, are
45 year old or older, had diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes),
have pre-diabetes (glucose levels are elevated but not high enough
to be diagnosed as diabetes), have high blood pressure, have abnormal
cholesterol (lipid) levels, are not getting enough physical activity
and have dark thick and velvety patches of skin around the neck
and armpits.
About 16.1 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives ages
20 years and older who are served by the Indian Health Service have
diagnosed diabetes.
A 10-year study by the Diabetes Prevention Program shows Type
2 diabetes can be prevented if people lose 5 to 7 percent of their
body weight (thats 10 to 14 pounds in a person who weighs
200 pounds), are physically active for 30 minutes a day, five days
a week and make healthier food choices and limited the amount of
calories and fat in their diet.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National
Diabetes Education Program is jointly sponsored by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health
with the support of more than 200 partner organizations.
For more information about preventing and controlling diabetes,
call 1-888-693-NDEP (6337) or visit the National Diabetes Education
Programs website at www.YourDiabetesInfo.org.
American
Indian/Alaska Native Fat and Calorie Counter
The Fat and Calorie Counter can help you keep track of the number
of fat grams and calories in foods you may eat. Choose healthier
options by: Eating fewer foods that are high in fat.; Making half
of your plate fruits and vegetables. Talk to your health care team
about developing a healthy eating plan.
http://ndep.nih.gov/media/AIAN-Fat-Calorie-Counter-508.pdf
National
Diabetes Education Program
Established in 1997, the National Diabetes Education Program is
a federally-funded program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services National Institutes of Health and the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention and includes over 200 partners
at the federal, state and local levels, working together to improve
the treatment and outcomes for people with diabetes, promote early
diagnosis, and prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
http://ndep.nih.gov/
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