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Residents reminded to eat nutritiously, exercise during Diabetes Awareness Month
November 09, 2015
For Immedate Release: November 9, 2015
LANSING, Mich. – An estimated 10.4 percent of Michigan adults 18 years and older have been diagnosed with diabetes. That’s why the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is highlighting Michigan Diabetes Awareness Month with an event at the Michigan Capitol Building on Thursday, November 12 at 9:30 a.m. at the State Capitol Rotunda. The event is jointly sponsored by the American Diabetes Association and the Diabetes Partners in Action Coalition.
By maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular physical activity, healthy nutrition, and using medications wisely, diabetes can be managed effectively and type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed. “Eat Well, America!” is the theme of this year’s awareness month.
“This event will show participants that it’s never too late or too complicated to eat well,” said Nick Lyon, director of the MDHHS. “With a little planning, prepping, and cooking, you can take charge of your diabetes and help prevent its deadly complications. For those at risk for type 2 diabetes, healthy habits go a long way in preventing or delaying diabetes.”
The event is designed to engage and empower Michigan residents about how eating healthy can be simple and fun – from planning and prepping to cooking and plating a delicious and nutritious meal. In recognition of November being American Diabetes Month, the American Diabetes Association will introduce fun and easy recipes around specific meal times including breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and special occasions at www.diabetes.org.
The Michigan Diabetes Awareness Month Capitol Event is open to the public, legislators, and health care and community health practitioners who work with diabetes management and prevention programs. Guest speaker Robin Nwankwo, RD, MPH, CDE, a diabetes educator, will speak about eating to manage and prevent diabetes. The 2015 winner of the Sally Joy Leadership Award will also be presented at this event.
Lifestyle change programs – like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-led National Diabetes Prevention Program – can help those at high risk of developing the disease. For more information about the Diabetes Prevention Program and a list of Michigan programs visit http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/index.htm. Diabetes self-management education programs for those diagnosed with diabetes can be found at http://michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71550_2955_2980---,00.html.
For more information about the Capitol event, please contact Gary Dougherty at the American Diabetes Association at GDougherty@diabetes.org or visit www.dpacmi.org.
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