Transcripts

Francine Kaufman, M.D.:
We're talking about 330 million people on the planet by the year 2025 having diabetes. That's more than the entire population of the United States.

Dr. Francine Kaufman, past President of the American Diabetes Association says diabetes and obesity are so closely linked that she titled her new book, Diabesity.

Diabetes is a condition that occurs when you can't control the blood sugar. And for most people, this is associated with being obese.

Diabetes is serious. It can be physically and emotionally devastating and can be fatal. Interestingly, Dr. Kaufman says, diabetes used to be primarily be a western problem. But now...

Probably the biggest overall increase in obesity and Type 2 diabetes is going to be in Asia; particularly in China where we're seeing it in children who now are given western food because that's a treat. And they're getting obese as well.

Eating right and being active are the most important things, but specifically, where do you start?

One is to really look at the quality of food you're having and the quantity. And start to look at what is a portion size? What am I really feeding my family? How often am I eating out? Eating out has got much more fat usually and many more calories. Very few of us eat the recommended 5-7 fresh fruits and vegetables a day. That's a really good way to start.

At somethingyoushouldknow.net, I'm Mike Carruthers and that's Something You Should Know.