Health
New dietary tool helps Hispanics reduce their diabetes risk
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Feb. 2, 2009
A new campaign, "Más que comida, es vida" -- which means, "It's more than food; it's life" -- was recently unveiled by the National Diabetes Education Program, which is a collaboration of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health. The program is designed to help Hispanics enjoy healthy versions of their favorite recipes and control portion sizes, thereby reducing their risk of developing diabetes.
Compared with whites, Hispanics are affected disproportionately by diabetes. More than 10% of Hispanics 20 years and older have this condition.
"Meal preparation is a critical component of diabetes control. Studies show that overweight or obese individuals can prevent or delay diabetes by losing just 5% to 7% of their total weight," said Betsy Rodriquez, public health adviser to the NDEP's Hispanic/Latino Work Group.
The campaign materials are available in both English and Spanish by telephone, 888-693-6337, or online (link).
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/02/02/hlbf0202.htm.
