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YMCA luncheon will inform seniors about risks of diabetes
By KEVIN KOLOIAN
A recent study by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that 22 percent of senior citizens aged 65 and older have diabetes and nearly 40 percent suffer with a form of pre-diabetes called impaired fasting glucose, which becomes more common with age. About 2.8 percent of U.S. adults - one-third of those with diabetes - still don’t know they have it.
The North Harris YMCA wants to change that number.
At the “Food, Fun, Facts and Feet!” luncheon a dietician will educate seniors about the signs of diabetes and the effects it can have on their lives.
“We are trying to get seniors started on a program related to their health issues because it is not simply a matter of if you have diabetes in your family yet. As long as people are living nowadays, a lot of them are developing Type II diabetes in their 80s,” said Sylvia Christy, YMCA membership services coordinator.
The luncheon will be held Friday, Nov. 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and is part of the Active Older Adults/America on the Move series.
The best counter to developing diabetes at an older age is staying active, Christy said. Free pedometers will be handed out at the luncheon so seniors can keep track of their steps.
“The theme is your health and how any exercise you do lowers your blood sugar,” Christy said. “Everybody says how busy they are; we’re going to find out.”
Christy hopes 30 to 35 people will come to the luncheon. The YMCA is advertising the event through its Membership Services Department but anyone from the community is invited to attend for free on a first-come, first-served basis, as space is limited.
“People aren’t aware that they might be susceptible,” Christy said. “There’s such a large majority of people who have diabetes and don’t know it. Many of them don’t have issues right now, but it will become an issue down the road.”
FOOD, FUN, FACTS AND Feet
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 7, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
WHERE: North Harris County YMCA, 17125 Ella Blvd., Houston
HOW MUCH: free
INFO: 281-444-3550, www.ymcahouston.org
FREE DIABETES SCREENING
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 1, 8-11 a.m.
WHERE: Houston Northwest Medical Center, 710 FM 1960, Houston
HOW MUCH: free
INFO: Register at 281-580-0000, www.hnmc.com/diabetes; walks-ins welcome.
The North Harris YMCA wants to change that number.
At the “Food, Fun, Facts and Feet!” luncheon a dietician will educate seniors about the signs of diabetes and the effects it can have on their lives.
“We are trying to get seniors started on a program related to their health issues because it is not simply a matter of if you have diabetes in your family yet. As long as people are living nowadays, a lot of them are developing Type II diabetes in their 80s,” said Sylvia Christy, YMCA membership services coordinator.
The luncheon will be held Friday, Nov. 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and is part of the Active Older Adults/America on the Move series.
The best counter to developing diabetes at an older age is staying active, Christy said. Free pedometers will be handed out at the luncheon so seniors can keep track of their steps.
“The theme is your health and how any exercise you do lowers your blood sugar,” Christy said. “Everybody says how busy they are; we’re going to find out.”
Christy hopes 30 to 35 people will come to the luncheon. The YMCA is advertising the event through its Membership Services Department but anyone from the community is invited to attend for free on a first-come, first-served basis, as space is limited.
“People aren’t aware that they might be susceptible,” Christy said. “There’s such a large majority of people who have diabetes and don’t know it. Many of them don’t have issues right now, but it will become an issue down the road.”
FOOD, FUN, FACTS AND Feet
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 7, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
WHERE: North Harris County YMCA, 17125 Ella Blvd., Houston
HOW MUCH: free
INFO: 281-444-3550, www.ymcahouston.org
FREE DIABETES SCREENING
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 1, 8-11 a.m.
WHERE: Houston Northwest Medical Center, 710 FM 1960, Houston
HOW MUCH: free
INFO: Register at 281-580-0000, www.hnmc.com/diabetes; walks-ins welcome.
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