Health Officials Urge Diabetes Prevention

Health Officials Urge Diabetes Prevention

The Vermont Department of Health is urging the state's residents to take simple actions that can help prevent them from developing diabetes.

Public health officials have seen the prevalence of obesity climb slowly but steadily among middle-aged Vermonters.Early diagnosis is essential to successfully treat and prevent or delay diabetes and complications such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, stroke and amputation.

People at highest risk for diabetes are overweight or inactive.But the department said drastic changes aren't necessary. Making small changes, such as taking a 30-minute walk each day or riding a bike rather than driving can help reduce the risk of diabetes.