FRANK MULHOLLAND - Daily Union Managing Editor
Many medical experts are starting to sound the alarm about the increase of the disease of diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association website there are 23.6 million children and adults in the United States, or 7.8 percent of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 17.9 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 5.7 million people (or nearly one quarter) are unaware that they have the disease.
The Shelby County Extension office has teamed up with the Shelby County Association for Home and Community Education, the Shelby County Health Department and Shelby Memorial Hospital to provide the educational seminar “Eating To Reduce Your Risk of Diabetes.”
This program will be held at the Shelby County Senior Center on Wednesday, February 18, starting at 5:30 p.m. The Senior Center is located in Forest Park or 325 W. N. 9th Street, Shelbyville. There will be a meal prepared ($5 per person). Reservations are needed and you may RSVP by calling 774-9546 before February 11. You may also register online at www.extension.uiuc.edu/shelby..
This informational program will deal with such questions as can you prevent the onset of diabetes and other diseases with what you do or do not eat? According to recent research, the answer to that question is that maybe you can. This program will also explore the relationship between food consumption and chronic diseases, particularly diabetes.
The program will be taught as a local leader lesson by Bev Combs, University of Illinois Nutrition and Wellness Educator.
Extension Unit manager Jim Looft said Combs is out of Effingham and is very knowledgeable in this area.
“She works in Food and nutrition and we have worked with her several times before,” said Looft. “A few years ago she did some work with the company that produces the product Splenda creating receipts that use Splenda instead of sugar.”
Mary Beth Massey, executive director of the Senior Center said this program should be fun and very informative.
“This program should be fun because it is going to be a cooking school,” said Mary Beth Massey, executive director of the Senior Center. “Combs is going to cook the meal as she presents the program.”
Other topics that will be covered include the various types of diabetes as well as metabolic syndrome. Combs will also discuss how following the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and My Pyramid can help reduce your risk for chronic diseases. She will also talk about ways those who have diabetes can eat healthy to help reduce risks for complications of diabetes as well as have a hands-on activity reading food labels.
“I learn personally better when it is hands-on and not just lecture,” Massey said. “So this program will be very interactive and should provide some good information.”
Massey went on to say this program is not specific for people who have been diagnosed with diabetes but for people who have diabetes in their family, or run a risk of that disease.
“This program is really about lowering your chances of being diagnosed with diabetes,” continued Massey.
