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Md. Group Works To Stop Diabetes

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Diabetes kills more people than breast cancer and AIDS combined. 

Mary Bubala reports the Maryland chapter of the American Diabetes Association is issuing a wake-up call this week in its rally to stop diabetes.

One in three children born this year will develop diabetes in their lifetime, if a diet filled with soda, junk food and fast food doesn't change.

"They call diabetes the silent killer because oftentimes people don't know they have it and meanwhile diabetes is wreaking havoc on the body," said Kathy Rogers, Executive Director of the Maryland chapter of the ADA.

Lt. Governor Anthony Brown read a proclamation and then the ADA got down to the business of showing people how to make immediate changes.

At Lexington Market Wednesday, Chef J.D. Ward cooked up healthy, delicious food that was devoured while an expert from the University of Maryland educated folks about portion control.

"Portion control is very important," said Dr. Yvette Rooks.

Diabetes is a serious subject in Baltimore City, where the death rate from the disease is 54 percent higher than the national average.

The ADA is challenging people to take the first step and find out if they are at risk.

"You answer a series of questions and if you score within a certain range, it will say if you are at high risk, medium risk or low risk," said Rogers.

For more information on Stop Diabetes and to take that test, click here.

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