JACKSON, Miss. – At least one out of ten Mississippians have type two diabetes. That is according a statewide report from 2010 by the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The main factors that cause diabetes are poor eating habits, obesity, lack of exercise, and genetics.
“Genetics is a non-modifiable risk factor for diabetes, you can’t change your genes. A lot of people don’t realize, if you have a mom, dad, brother, or sister, grandparents with diabetes, you are at a much higher risk,” said Irena McClain with the Diabetes foundation of Mississippi.
McClain says if you experience some of the symptoms that come with diabetes, such as fatigue, chronic dehydration, blurred vision, or frequent urination, get a doctor to check you out. If you catch it early, it is possible to prevent the onset of full blown diabetes by changing your eating habits or exercising to regulate your body’s blood sugar.
