Family Health Centers Inc. will sponsor the fourth annual Community Diabetes Awareness Walk from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28.

The approximately 1.5-mile walk will begin at FHC, located at 3310 Magnolia St. on U.S. 601, continue to Kings Road and back to FHC.

"We're inviting students from South Carolina State as well as Claflin and area churches," said Dr. Edith Anadu, director of health education. "It's open to anyone who can walk, because we're trying to raise awareness for diabetes."

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors like obesity and lack of exercise appear to play a role.

According to FHC, there are 20.8 million children and adults in the United States, or roughly 7 percent of the population, living with diabetes.

South Carolina has the highest rate of diabetes in the country. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the state, with more than 1,000 South Carolinians dying each year. Another 2,000 die from diseases associated with diabetes.

In addition to death from acute complications, diabetes increases the risk of blindness, kidney failure, nerve disease, hypertension, ischemic heart disease and stroke.

In 2004, there were 311 hospitalizations for diabetes in Orangeburg County for all ages. Diabetes was the sixth leading cause of death in Orangeburg County, with 40 people dying from the illness in 2004.

Behavioral risk factors, such as being overweight, physical inactive and eating an unhealthy diet, are partially responsible for development of the type 2 diabetes. There are three main types of diabetes -- type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.

In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. It is estimated that between 5 and 10 percent of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes. Risk factors include having a family history of the disease, being younger than 40 years of age and having been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. Type 1 diabetes most often strikes white people.

With type 2 diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin or the body cannot properly use insulin. Approximately 90 to 95 percent of Americans diagnosed with diabetes have type 2. Risk factors include having a family history, being 40 years of age or older and overweight or obese, having a prior history of gestational diabetes, previously having a baby weighing more than 9 pounds, having an impaired glucose tolerance and being physical inactivity. Type 2 diabetes typically strikes non-white individuals.

Pregnant women who have never had diabetes before but who have high blood sugar levels around or after the 28th week of pregnancy are said to have gestational diabetes. This condition affects about 4 percent of all pregnant women and usually goes away after pregnancy. However, once you've had gestational diabetes, chances are two in three that it will return in future pregnancies. In addition, people with gestational diabetes are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes years later. Risk factors include having a family history of the disease, being over 25 years of age and overweight or obese, having gestational diabetes during a past pregnancy and having a stillbirth or delivery of a baby weighing more than 9 pounds. Non-whites are typically diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

According to the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes have to take extra care to make sure their food is balanced with insulin, oral medications and exercise to help manage their blood glucose levels.

ADA suggests a diabetes meal plan guide that tells patients how much and what kinds of food to eat at meals and snack times. A good meal plan should fit in with the patient's schedule and eating habits. The right plan will help improve blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol numbers and also help keep weight on track.

Family Health Centers Inc., a nonprofit charitable organization, was established more than 30 years ago to provide quality care to the uninsured citizens of Orangeburg and the surrounding area. FHC has grown into one of the largest multi-specialty group practices in the region. Its mission is to promote health and provide comprehensive care to all with courtesy.

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