FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The one-minute test that could save your life
Find out your risk for type 2 diabetes on American Diabetes Association Alert Day®
DALLAS, TEXAS – March 1, 2013 – “Take it. Share it.”
That’s the message being spread by the American Diabetes Association about a simple test to
gauge one’s risk of type 2 diabetes. For American Diabetes Association Alert Day on March 26, the
Association is encouraging everyone to visit their Facebook page, diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES
to take the Diabetes Risk Test to find their individual risk for type 2 diabetes – and to then share the test
with everyone they care about.
The fact that so many Americans have no idea if they have the disease is a daunting problem.
Nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes, and a quarter of them – 7 million
– don’t know they have it. Because diagnosis often comes seven to 10 years after the onset of type 2
diabetes, many disabling and sometimes-deadly complications have already had time to develop. Early
diagnosis, therefore, is critical.
Slimming World, a U.K.-based weight-loss organization that is now available online across
America, is collaborating with the American Diabetes Association to not only spread the word about Alert
Day, but to help in the fight to stop the disease. For the month of March, Slimming World will donate $10
of each new membership fee to the American Diabetes Association.
“Being overweight and living a sedentary lifestyle are serious risk factors for developing type 2
diabetes,” says Yvonne Sanders, Slimming World’s Business Development Manager. “We’ve had several
members take the Alert Day test, and many of them note that their risks would have been much greater if
they hadn’t begun taking steps to get our support to lose weight and get active again.”
Juli Todd is one example. Juli has a family history of the disease – which automatically places her
at a higher risk.
“I joined Slimming World because my doctor was looking to move me to insulin if I didn’t get my
numbers down,” she says. “I have a husband and daughter, and I wanted to be around for them in the
future.”
After three months of losing weight, Juli went back to her doctor for a three-month checkup.
“My A1C test [which measures average blood glucose control] had gone from a 10.1 to 7.4, and
my triglycerides and cholesterol were normal,” she says. “My doctor was so amazed he looked at my
chart twice. Since then, it is still going down steadily and I expect my next checkup will be normal as well.
With the Slimming World plan, I learned about eating normal, everyday foods prepared in a healthy, lowfat way. So as a family, we’re all eating more healthily together. But most important of all, it’s the ongoing
and caring support that helped me to stick to my commitment and lose weight successfully.
“I credit Slimming World for not only making me feel better – and reducing my diabetes risk – but
for giving me back my zest for life.”
Although Alert Day is a one-time event, the Diabetes Risk Test is available year-round.
Contact:
Darla Atlas
Slimming World USA Public Relations Officer
817-247-7508
Darla.atlas@slimmingworldusa.com
ABOUT SLIMMING WORLDSlimming World is Britain’s leading independent* slimming organization. It
was founded in 1969 to offer people a very different approach to weight loss: a hunger-busting healthy
eating plan based on satiety and energy density, an activity program to suit individual needs, and support
that offers compassion and understanding. Slimming World has a deep understanding of the emotional,
physical and psychological challenges faced by overweight people, and this understanding underscores
the company's philosophy and methods. In more than four decades, Slimming World has helped millions
of people to lose weight and live healthier, happier lives.
* In the UK, more people attend Slimming World's groups each week than any other weight loss
organization's groups.
Slimming World holds more weekly support groups and has more trained Consultants leading its groups
than any other weight loss organization in the UK.
Slimming World magazine is the market leader in its sector by circulation in the UK.
The corresponding statement is not based on online membership, profit or revenues in the UK, but
rather the information stated in the three preceding sentences.
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes® and its deadly
consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent,
cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible
information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our
mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For
more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or
visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.