In 2021 alone, approximately 537 million adults, ranging from 20 to 79 years were living with diabetes. While being this common worldwide, it is not a life-threatening disease and someone with diabetes can also live a long healthy life as long as taken care of. There are certain types of people who might be at greater risk of developing diabetes. ● Anyone with a BMI higher than 25 (23 for Asian Americans) irrespective of their age with additional risk factors including abnormally high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, a somewhat inactive lifestyle, history of PCOS or heart disease, and someone who has close relative suffering from diabetes. ● Anyone who is diagnosed with prediabetes must get tested annually. ● Women with a history of gestational diabetes are suggested to get screened for diabetes once every three years even though diabetes should ideally go away after giving birth. ● Anyone over the age of 45 must get an initial blood sugar screen
Fat has a bad reputation for leading people to be overweight and obese. However, people must also know that not all fat is bad. In fact, breaking down and storing energy (calories) in the form of fat is actually a healthy practice. It’s just one of the many ways our body uses food to work, heal, and grow which is why having a well- balanced diet is always recommended. The energy that is stored from fat helps you get through a strenuous job or workout. It plays an integral role in brain development, and in preventing swelling (inflammation) and blood clots. Fat helps you get healthy hair and skin as well. You can determine whether you are underweight or not by using a Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator, an online tool that considers your weight, height, age, and gender to calculate a value and if your BMI is less than 18.5, you are underweight. Even your healthcare provider can help determine if you’re underweight based on your height, weight, what you eat, and your activity level.