McKinley Health Center has designated the month of November as Diabetes Awareness Month, and though many college students might not think they are at risk for diabetes, the choices they make now can affect them later in life.

Many college students have the misconception that they cannot be at risk for diabetes at such a young age, but "as adult 18- to 23-year-olds, we still have a risk of developing diabetes," said Brianne Davis, a junior in education who has Type 1 diabetes.

Karen Chapman, associate professor of nutrition at the University, said the public needs to be more informed about diabetes. Chapman is part of an extension program that teaches other educators about diabetes to help them spread knowledge to the public about the disease.

"We realized that there was a lack of education and knowledge on the subject of diabetes, so we adapted a program that provides information on achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle," Chapman said.

The program provides information on choosing, cooking and eating the right foods for people with diabetes. McKinley also offers multiple health education handouts on diabetes and has a diabetes team that focuses on issues facing diabetics. Both the faculty at the University and McKinley want to make students more aware of the disease, its risks and its effects.

"Diabetes is a lot more widespread than we think, we need to become more aware of just how many lives it affects," said Hannah Holscher, sophomore in ACES. Holscher is a dietetics major and works during the summer at the Tennessee Camp for Diabetic Children, where she interacts with kids who are dependent on insulin.

There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 normally occurs in children and young adults who cannot produce insulin, and Type 2 usually occurs in adults who are insulin resistant, Holscher said.

Roach said people with symptoms of Type 1 diabetes — extreme thirst, unexplained weight loss, nausea, frequent urination and blurred vision — should contact McKinley or a local hospital to have their blood sugar tested.

Becky Roach, a dietitian on McKinley's diabetes team, said college students were mainly affected by Type 1 diabetes in the past, but because of today's more sedentary lifestyle and the prevalence of obesity, college students are also at risk for Type 2 diabetes.

"Exercise and appropriate calorie intake are extremely important," Roach said. "Food trends such as supersizing don't exactly help control portion sizes."

There are several steps that college students can take to reduce the risk of diabetes, Roach said. She said keeping weight under control, exercising daily and eating a diet low in fat and full of fruits and vegetables are key precautions that students can take.

"Diet and exercise are a huge part of keeping the disease under control," Holscher said.

Diabetes, especially Type 2, can go completely undetected. People who have a family history of diabetes, are overweight or come from a minority group especially at risk should get blood sugar tests, Roach said.

"I can honestly say that diabetes has changed my life and helped to shape me into the person I am today," Davis said. "At 12 years old, I was forced to grow up and take on the responsibility of caring for my health."

If you think you are at risk for diabetes, contact McKinley Wellness Promotion at 333-2714 for blood sugar testing and information about the disease.