Rocky Mount, Va. (November 16, 2021) – November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and the Franklin County Family YMCA is encouraging Franklin County residents to understand their risks for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes and steps to take to prevent the disease.
Following a year of reduced activity due to COVID-19, statistics show prediabetes rates are on the rise. Currently, 88 million American adults (more than 1 in 3) have prediabetes but less than 16 percent know they have the condition. In addition to the high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, people with prediabetes are also at risk of developing other chronic diseases such as heart disease and stroke. Without weight loss and moderate physical activity, 15 to 30 percent of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within five years.
During National Diabetes Awareness Month, we encourage all community members to take control of their health and learn their risk for type 2 diabetes by visiting your local Y and taking steps to prevent developing the disease.
“A new study from the University of Michigan revealed that over one third of Americans put off healthcare during the pandemic,” said Andrea Fansler, Branch Director, Smith Mountain Lake YMCA. “This makes it imperative for community members to be aware of the health risks of prediabetes. The Y is here to help.”
To learn more about the Y’s healthy living programs, please visit www.franklincountyymca.org or call (540)489-9622.
