November is National Diabetes Month

Every year, diabetes claims more lives than breast cancer and AIDS combined, and someone is diagnosed with the disease every 17 seconds, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Many students at the university have been diagnosed with diabetes in their teenage years.  Maria DeNapoli, a senior communication and government and politics double major, is one of these students.

"Diabetes is genetic.  People with Type I are genetically predisposed to getting it whereas with Type II, it's usually the result of genetics and lifestyle choices," DeNapoli said.  "When I was diagnosed with Type I, I was scared because my grandfather had diabetes and suffered every complication so that was my initial response."

When DeNapoli was first diagnosed with Type I Diabetes, she attended many support programs and fundraisers that raised awareness.  A support system, family and friends and events helped her cope and understand the disease, she said.

Because of the growing epidemic that affects more than 26 million Americans, November was declared American Diabetes month. The month is dedicated to increasing diabetes awareness and education.

American Diabetes Month allows communities to advocate the importance of raising awareness and funds for diabetes.  These events allow individuals diagnosed with the disease to speak about it and to offer their real-life experience dealing with diabetes.

The D.C. area hosts a variety of events. The National Capital Area Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes, which is a two or four mile walk supporting awareness, was held Oct. 22.  The Second Annual First Ladies Health & Wellness Tea and Hat Fashion Show on Nov. 13 in Upper Marlboro, Md., will raise funds for research.

Although diabetes is a disease, a person with diabetes can live the normal life of a college student with proper exercise, diet and application of medications and shots. 

"I do have a normal college experience," DeNapoli said.  "With the proper control and management, you can do all the normal things others do, like going out on the weekend or going out to dinner with roommates…Diabetes is a part of your life but it doesn't have to change your life."

Nutritionist, Jane Jakubczak MPH, RD, meets with diabetic students on campus to help them adjust to new dining plans and off-campus food options when they first arrive at the university.

"Students with diabetes can find an abundance of healthy foods in the dining halls on campus," Jakubczak said.  "The diabetic diet is not much different than what we should all be eating…a person with diabetes just needs to monitor the amount of carbohydrate grams they eat at one time."

Young people can lower their risk for diabetes by making certain lifestyle choices like exercising at least three times a week and eating a healthy diet including lean proteins, fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains and low fat diary, Jakubczak said.

"One can reduce their risk of ever getting Type II diabetes by almost 70 percent if they exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight," Jakubczak said.  "Type I is genetic so it is not caused or avoided by lifestyle choices."

Diabetes doesn't just affect those who have the disease; it also affects the people around them.  Nick Caputi, a junior accounting major, keeps up with these healthy lifestyles choices because the disease runs in his family.  Both sets of Caputi's grandparents have some type of diabetes.

"I exercise regularly and eat healthy because I know that if diabetes genetically runs in your family then you have a chance of getting it," Caputi said.  "For those who have diabetes, it's important to have months like American Diabetes Month to raise funds for research."

"Raising awareness is really important because some students our age don't realize that some of our peers are dealing with this disease," Caputi said.  "It's important to show support and let them know they have a support system." Having November as American Diabetes Month will be beneficial to those recently diagnosed with the diseasebecause it will allow the person's friends and family to get involved, DeNapoli said. 

"These American Diabetes Month events are great because they raise funds for research which is necessary because there's still much more to explore…they provide overall support, from both loved ones and strangers, for the person struggling with the disease," DeNapoli said.  "It provides awareness for those who might not initially know anything about diabetes and that's the most important thing."