The statistics are not new. Neither is information. However, one health educator hopes at least one person will heed the message and stave off or better manage the chronic medical condition of diabetes.
Margie Nahass, registered nurse, physician assistant, and health educator and advocate for the Christian Activity Center in East St. Louis, presented “Let’s Talk Diabetes” during an interactive presentation at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Learning Resource Center on Thursday, Nov. 14.
The presentation was the first of a four-part Lunch and Learn series entitled, “Think Healthy Thoughts.”
Nahass shared some numbers and information as it relates to diabetes:
- It affects 30.3 million Americans
- 12.7 percent of those diagnosed are non-Hispanic black
- Prior to diagnosis, people with diabetes may experience excessive thirst, excessive urination, intense hunger and intense fatigue
- Obesity is the number one risk factor for type 2 diabetes
- Hispanics and non-Hispanic blacks have the highest rates of obesity according to the Centers for Disease Control, 47 percent and 46.8 percent, respectively
Nahass also shared some good news and numbers as it relates to the disease:
- Losing as little as 5-10 percent of your body weight if you are overweight or obese can significantly reduce your chances of developing type 2 diabetes
Nahass informed the group of the roles of the pancreas and insulin in healthy individuals. She also outlined the benefits of maintaining a healthy diet to prevent or manage diabetes.
The remaining Think Healthy Thoughts Lunch and Learn series topics include:
- “You Are What You Eat” – Nov. 21
- “Hypertension: The Silent Killer” – Dec. 5
- “New Year, New You” – Jan. 16
With a focus on empowering people and strengthening communities, the SIUE East St. Louis Center is dedicated to improving the lives of families and individuals - from pre-school through adult - in the Metro East. Head Start/Early Head Start and a charter high school are among the programs that offer the community renewed hope and an opportunity to reach educational, career and life goals. The Center also assigns first priority to encouraging, supporting and improving the educational success of the residents of East St. Louis and surrounding urban communities. The Center provides comprehensive programs, services and training in the areas of education, health, social services and the arts.
Photo: Margie Nahass, registered nurse, physician assistant, and health educator and advocate for the Christian Activity Center in East St. Louis, discusses the best ways to ward off diabetes.