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Every parent wants the best for their children, and when a child has diabetes, parents find it can take a little effort to provide the best possible diet.
Fortunately, a program offered by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) can make life easier for families trying to manage or prevent diabetes. The effort coincides with American Diabetes Month this November.
Called “America Gets Cooking,” the program focuses on teaching and inspiring people to cook healthier meals and live more active lifestyles. The importance of this initiative is underscored by these facts:
- Nearly 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes.
- Another 86 million Americans have pre-diabetes or are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
- Estimates indicate that as many as 1 in 3 American adults will have diabetes by 2050 – unless we take steps to stop the disease.
- According to the ADA, the total cost of diagnosed diabetes in the U.S. is estimated at $245 billion, a figure that includes medical costs, disability, work loss and premature mortality.
Why should we be so concerned about diabetes?
First, people with diabetes are almost twice as likely to be hospitalized for a heart attack or stroke. Diabetes also causes nearly half of all cases of kidney failure, is a major risk factor for severe vision loss, and leads to nerve damage in up to 70 percent of people with the disease.
So … what can you do?
For starters, try to ensure that your family eats a healthy diet and exercises regularly. Learn more about the America Gets Cooking to Stop Diabetes program, including fun tips for staying active, recipes and quizzes.
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