People living in the Southeast, home of Southern cooking, are at high risk for diabetes, even higher than previously thought.

A new study released by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates the number of new cases of diabetes has risen by more than 90 percent over the past 10 years. In both Georgia and South Carolina, two of the highest-risk states, more than 11 of every 1,000 residents in each state are now being diagnosed with the disease.

“This dramatic increase in the number of people with diabetes highlights the increasing burden of diabetes across the country,” said Karen Kirtland with the CDC. “We must continue to promote effective diabetes prevention. … Changes such as weight loss combined with moderate physical activity are important steps.”

The South is home to many of the risk factors for diabetes – particularly obesity and physical inactivity. Other risk factors are older age, lower education, and being a member of a minority.

Lauren Papka, director of occupational medicine and wellness at the Ty Cobb Healthcare System in Georgia, said diabetes is a growing problem in northeast Georgia.

“There’s a lot in this area that are pre-diabetic, which means if they don’t make any changes in their lifestyles, then they will become diabetic,” she said. “That’s the population we really need to target. They need to control their blood-sugar levels and improve their lifestyles.”

Ty Cobb Healthcare System is offering free diabetes education sessions at the Hart County Library in Hartwell.

“If they come this week, they’re going to learn how to help themselves through the holidays,” Papka said. “One, with their cooking style, and also how to go to holiday parties and still follow a diabetic diet. … Just to help them get through the holidays without totally destroying everything they’ve been working for.”

Ty Cobb’s diabetes education sessions are an ongoing series designed to help the growing number of diabetes sufferers, usually taking place on the third Thursday of each month, alternating between Hartwell and Royston in Georgia. Call (706) 245-1845 for more information.

Diabetes is a major cause of death in the United States – and obesity is a major predictor. Diabetes can be prevented or delayed by moderate weight loss and increased physical activity, according to CDC officials. But how does someone know if they have diabetes or at risk for diabetes? Papka said the only way to know is to schedule yearly checkups with a doctor, do blood tests, and to let the doctor know if not feeling well.

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that affects the body’s ability to convert food to energy. Successful management requires daily attention, according to AnMed Health in Anderson. AnMed also has a continuing diabetes education series:

Comprehensive diabetes management (a series of three classes)

Insulin instruction

Carbohydrate counting

Insulin pump training

Medical nutrition therapy

Gestational diabetes management

One-on-one instruction is available for those who cannot participate in group classes. For more information, call (864) 512-4145.

The classes help once a person is diagnosed with diabetes. But more important, to prevent diabetes development, the CDC suggests the following:

weight loss;

increased physical activity;

public health interventions;

creating or enhancing parks and walking trails;

better access to healthier foods, and;

encourage healthy lifestyles and maintenance of healthy weight.