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Of the 30 million Hispanics living in the United States, about 2 million have been diagnosed with diabetes and millions more have a high risk of developing the disease.
Type 2 diabetes can lead to health problems such as blindness, amputation, kidney and heart disease. The good news is that diabetes is preventable. Studies show that losing weight if you are overweight, limiting fat and calories and exercising for 30 minutes five days a week can reduce your risk of developing diabetes by more than 50 percent.
As part of a diabetes prevention campaign called "Paso a Paso," or "Step by Step," the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Diabetes Education Program is targeting Hispanics who are at risk of developing the disease. The campaign stresses the importance of physical activity and proper nutrition in preventing diabetes.
Among the campaign materials is a music compact disc, "Movimiento," which includes a collection of original Latin songs that aims to get people moving.
The National Diabetes Education Program is co-sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is a leading source for information on diabetes and prevention.
The "Paso a Paso" campaign materials are available for free by calling (800) 438-5383 or at www.ndep.nih.gov. -NU |
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