Are you aware of the risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes? If so, do you evaluate your own risk factors? Many Americans are aware that being overweight is a key risk factor for diabetes (82% are aware), yet those at risk are not applying this logic to themselves: 58% of American adults had a body mass index of 25 or over, classifying them as overweight or obese. Overall, 29% of American respondents were actually obese, with a body mass index of 30 or more. More than half of the obese respondents surveyed (51%) considered themselves to be healthy and 43% thought their diets were good. As reported in the WSJ, Peter Goldbach, MD, said “There is a startling disconnect between what people know about the risk factors associated with diabetes and what they are actually doing to protect themselves from a health and wellness standpoint,” “Given their knowledge, people now need to realize that even small steps can make a big difference when it comes to eating better, exercising more regularly, or shedding a few pounds. Everybody is vulnerable to risk factors: Americans think it will not happen to them.
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