Join the effort to Stop Diabetes this November

November is American Diabetes Month. This year, the American Diabetes Association is launching Stop Diabetes, a national movement to not only bring attention to the seriousness of diabetes, but the hopes to confront, fight and stop its epidemic spread.

Why worry about diabetes? To date, roughly 24 million individuals living in the United States have been diagnosed with diabetes with an estimated 57 million more at risk. And if current trends continue, the American Diabetes Association says one out of every three children born today will develop diabetes.

Not only are these statistics alarming, so are the health care costs ($174 billion in 2007) and complications associated with its diagnosis. Individuals with diabetes are at greater risk for heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney disease, nerve damage, amputations, gum disease as well as other health complications. Furthermore, according to the Centers for Disease Control, diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in 2006.

If you're at risk for developing diabetes, make changes now to stop its progression. Studies have shown individuals who are overweight or obese can prevent or delay diabetes by losing weight and increasing daily physical activity. For individuals already diagnosed with diabetes, these results can be similar. Additionally, tight blood sugar (glucose) control through balanced meal planning, exercise, blood glucose monitoring, medication and/or insulin as indicated by a primary care physician, can lower risk for developing diabetes-related complications.

To learn more about managing diabetes or preventing its onset, discuss meeting with an endocrinologist (a specialist in diabetes care), registered dietitian and/or certified diabetes educator with your doctor. Certified diabetes educators are trained experts in the field of diabetes and could be any kind of health professional (dietitian, nurse, physician, etc.).

And remember to join the American Diabetes Association's Stop Diabetes effort this November by getting involved:

Share. Help inspire others by sharing your personal stories of how diabetes has touched your life. Starting Nov. 2, the American Diabetes Association encourages you and your loved ones to visit stopdiabetes.com and join them on Facebook and Twitter to learn how to spread the word.

Act. Get moving! Whether you Step Out and walk for diabetes, bike for the American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure or become involved in different community events, there are plenty of ways to get up and act.

Learn. If you or your loved ones are at risk for, or have, diabetes, learn what steps you can take to control and prevent its onset. Visit www.diabetes.org to find motivational and up-to-date information on all things diabetes.

Give. Why not set up a fund-raiser to raise money for diabetes research, federal and state advocacy or public education? Regardless if it's time or money, anything you're able to donate helps support the fight against diabetes.

By increasing awareness around the significance of diabetes, communities can help bring these climbing diabetes statistics to a halt and create a happier and healthier place to live.

Carrie Taylor is Big Y's registered dietitian and head of the Living Well Eating Smart program. Have a nutrition question? E-mail her at askcarrie@bigy.com or write Ask Carrie, 2145 Roosevelt Ave, PO Box 7840, Springfield, MA 01102.