SALINAS, CA (March 15, 2010) Natividad Medical Center encourages you to know your risk of developing diabetes, a disease that many ignore until it is too late. To help bring attention to the disease, the American Diabetes Association has deemed Tuesday, March 23, as National Diabetes Alert Day.

In honor of National Diabetes Alert Day on March 23rd, Natividad Medical Center will offer free Body Mass Index (BMI) screenings at the Diabetes Education Center located at 1441 Constitution Blvd. , Bldg. #300 in Salinas from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. No appointment necessary. Available on a first come first serve basis. The direct line for the Diabetes Education Center is 831-755-6292.

BMI is a crucial health indicator. BMI is a vital sign as important as a person’s cholesterol and blood pressure. A measure of the amount of muscle and fat in the body, BMI is significantly correlated with total body fat content, and therefore an effective measure of excess weight, as well as the risk of weight-related health problems.

According to the American Diabetes Association, a recent study showed that many overweight and obese Americans do not believe they are at serious risk for diabetes and are ignoring it as a health risk. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States . There are two major types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 indicates that the body cannot produce any insulin. This most often occurs in children and young adults. These individuals must take daily insulin injections. Type 2 is a metabolic disorder resulting from the body’s inability to make enough, or properly use insulin. This type makes up 90 to 95 percent of affected population.

The risk factors for diabetes include individuals with a family history of the disease; adults over the age of 45; individuals who are overweight by more than 10 pounds; individuals who do not exercise on a regular basis; minority populations; individuals with hypertensions or blood pressure greater than 140 over 90; and women who had gestational diabetes or who had a baby weighing 9 pounds or more at birth.

Warning Signs:

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Unusual weight loss
• Increased fatigue
• Irritability
• Blurry vision
• BMI > 25

Natividad Medical Center ’s Diabetes Education Center , with locations in Salinas and Greenfield , continually offers self management education; monthly support groups in English and Spanish; and diabetes prevention for families through healthy family programs. For more information on diabetes or to take a free online risk assessment test, visit the American Diabetes Associations website at www.diabetes.org.

About Natividad Medical Center

Natividad Medical Center is a 172-bed acute care medical center owned and operated by Monterey County , and has been providing healthcare for more than 120 years. A public community hospital, Natividad Medical Center emphasizes the care of women, children and families and offers comprehensive inpatient, outpatient, diagnostic and specialty care. Natividad is the only teaching hospital on the Central Coast , through its affiliation with the University of California , San Francisco (UCSF). With a medical staff of more than 235 physicians, Natividad’s mission is to continually improve the health status of the people of Monterey County through access to affordable, high-quality healthcare services. Natividad is based in Salinas , California . For more information, please call 831-755-4111 or visit www.natividad.com.