The results of a new study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention find that America’s obesity epidemic is a driving force for America’s type 2 diabetes epidemic. Nearly two-thirds of American adults are now overweight. About 20 million Americans have diabetes. Excess weight and inactivity are risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. Some complications of type 2 diabetes include heart disease, blindness, nerve damage, infections leading to amputations, and kidney damage. Reduce your risk for developing diabetes by maintaining a healthy weight. Eat a balanced, nutritious diet and get 30 minutes of moderate physical activity (such as walking) daily. Balance the calories you consume each day with your physical activity to maintain a healthy weight. Watch your portion sizes. Eating more calories than you need, can lead to weight gain. For more diabetes prevention tips, see the American Diabetes Association Web site at www.diabetes.org.

Sources: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, May 2006, andAmerican Diabetes Association.