Diabetes In the Latino Community

Obesity rates for Mexican- American children are through the roof according to the following statistics:

Mexican Children with Diabetes

Mexican Girls: Between ages 5-11 is 27%

Mexican Boys: Between ages 5- 11 is 23%

10.2% or 2 Million Latinos have Diabetes

The leading causes of death for Latina Women in the U.S. are heart disease, diabetes, breast and lung cancer.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes occurs when the body cannot properly use sugar that is ingested. Instead of sugars being used as intended by the cells in the body, sugars remain in the bloodstream. Insulin, a hormone that normally produced by the pancreas in a healthy person, moves through the bloodstream and allows the cells to properly use the sugar for energy.

Symptoms of Diabetes:

Frequent Urination, Excessive Thirst, Excessive Hunger, Excessive Fatigue, Losing feeling in the feet, unintended weight loss, having sores that don't heal fast, dry skin, itchy skin, blurry vision, genital itching