Food Network star Paula Dean's admission of being diabetic the past three years has put a nationwide spotlight on the disease.
The American Diabetes Association estimates nearly 26-million adult in the U.S. have been diagnosed with diabetes. Meanwhile, another 79-million have a condition that increase their risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.
Dr. Sonia Gajula with Joslin Diabetes Center tells WMBD's Greg and Dan, "We emphasize a healthy diet plan and regular exercise."
"Any weight loss, and we recommend about five to ten percent of your body weight," says Gajula, "you'll decrease the risk of developing diabetes by about 50 percent."
Gajula says the disease is an emotional one for those who are diagnosed. "There is a stigma of 'Oh, you're fat and that's why you're a diabetic'," says Gajula. "That's not always the case."
"You have several predisposing factors that put you at risk. Family history is one and obviously lifestyle plays a very important role."
Some common warning signs of diabetes are unusual thirst, a frequent desire to urinate, blurred vision, feeling tired for no apparent reason and extreme hunger.
