SANTEE -- In response to the overwhelming incidence of diabetes in the black community, pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Co. has initiated a campaign to help individuals, families and neighborhoods overcome key barriers to success in living with the disease.

Fearless African-Americans Connected and Empowered is a grassroots movement that will implement a series of practical and sustainable programs in areas critical to success such as nutrition and cooking, physical activity, health and overall well-being.

"Diabetes is an individual struggle, not one-size-fits-all," said Jesse J. Price, manager of federal and government affairs for Eli Lilly and Co., who presided over a booth sponsored by Eli Lilly at the recent I-95 Corridor Health Fair sponsored by U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn. "Our goal ... is to mitigate negative consequences and empower the patient by instilling behavioral and attitudinal changes."

Diabetes is a disease characterized by high levels of blood glucose resulting from the body's inability to properly produce or use insulin. Insulin is a hormone the body uses to turn the sugar, starches and other food into energy that the body uses in everyday activities.

In type 1 diabetes, the body doesn't make enough insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the cells cannot use the insulin the body makes.

Over time and without proper care, high blood glucose levels may led to serious complications, including damage to eyes, kidneys or nerves. Diabetes is caused by various factors including family history, weight and lifestyle. For those at risk for diabetes, the recommended diet is low in fat, salt and sugar, and patients are advised to eat whole grain foods, vegetables and fruit instead of high-fat alternatives.

Risk factors for diabetes include being overweight, not exercising, a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure and stress and lifestyle factors. Common symptoms are feeling tired often, excessive thirst, frequent urination, losing weight while continuing to eat and blurred vision. An individual can have diabetes for years and not know it, during which time harm to the eyes, nerves, kidneys and heart can occur.

Price emphasized that although management of diabetes is very much up to the patient, controlling diabetes is a team effort. He said patients need ongoing professional help -- such as visits to their health care provider and lab tests -- to make sure their treatment plan stays on track. That way, if problems do start, they will be found early.

Meal planning, Price said, is essential for diabetics and includes understanding how different foods and the amount eaten affect blood sugar, choosing healthy foods and eating regular meals at the right times.

MyPyramid is a good basic guide to choosing healthy foods, both for the diabetic and the non-diabetic, Price said, adding that the foods in each section of MyPyramid provide some, but not all, of the nutrients needed for good health.

Price said it is important to eat servings from every group each day. The MyPyramid groups are color-coded and consist of grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, meat and beans.

For more information, visit http://www.mypyramid.gov/. When age and activity level are typed in, the MyPyramid Menu Planner automatically calculates the number of servings from each food group and total number of calories the individual needs each day.

Exercise is good for everyone, but it can be especially good for people with diabetes, Price said, noting that exercise can reduce stress and increase energy. When a person exercises, movement becomes easier, and their muscles are strengthened, he said. It is also a good way to control blood pressure and lipid levels, Price said, and may even improve a body's use of insulin. Walking is a good way to get started on an exercise routine, he said.

"Preventive health care has to be a component of health and wellness," Price said.

For more information, visit the F.A.C.E. Web site www.face-diabetes.com/face/index.html.

T&D Correspondent Shirley Upton can be reached by e-mail at writer@ntinet.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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