| March
25, 2005: Epidemic of Diabestes & Obesity Interview
with Francine Kaufman, M.D. author of the book, Diabesity |
Mike Carruthers:
Obesity and diabetes
are, together, becoming a real epidemic. 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.
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