The Department of Veterans Affairs is taking steps to control and prevent the onset of diabetes among veterans, with a new program that focuses on research and counseling. Though VA’s diabetes research program, volunteers took part in a research study involving diet, exercise, and medication. Among the findings: Participants who were overweight and had high blood sugar reduced their chances of developing the disease by altering their diets and losing weight. Statistics sow that 24 percent of all veterans have Type 2 diabetes. Under the pilot program, volunteers in Minneapolis, Baltimore, Los Angeles, and Ann Arbor, Mich., who are predisposed to developing diabetes will take part in VA’s weight-management program aimed at trying new methods of preventing the onset of diabetes. More information is available online at http://www.prevention.va.gov.index.asp.
