We are just weeks away from Thanksgiving and the unofficial beginning of the holiday season. Not only do the holidays offer a time to reflect on being thankful, but it’s one of the best times of year to relax with family and indulge in some delicious foods. But before you take your first bite, consider a quick health check. Did you know that an uncontrolled diet and lack of physical activity can lead to diabetes?
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. And today, November 14th, is World Diabetes Day. In Virginia, more than 631,000 of our neighbors are living with diabetes. If you’re not one of the thousands, consider these numbers–more than 1 in 3 people have prediabetes and 9 out of 10 of our neighbors don’t know that they have it. You might be asking, why should I be concerned about these numbers? Well, diabetes is a risk factor for many serious complications including heart disease, stroke, amputations, blindness, and kidney disease. If we have your attention now, great because VDH is here to help!
VDH offers a 1-minute prediabetes risk test to help you know your status. If the test results suggest you should consult a healthcare professional to manage your health, contact your provider, or visit the VDH diabetes information map to learn about classes, services, and programs in your area. Prediabetes can be reversed. Decide to celebrate this holiday season with a great recipe for your health. For more information and resources, visit the Virginia Department of Health.