The Rock v. Diabetes

Oct 5, 2009 | Stacy Matson | Celebrity Health
The Rock v. Diabetes

image by: Simon Q

Diabetes is one of the most common causes of blindness and along with hypertension is the most common cause of kidney failure worldwide. But, Diabetes may have finally met its match, 'The Rock'

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is a former championship wrestler for World Wrestling Entertainment, and in recent years he’s starred in movies where he’s fought off aliens, spies, and has saved the world from destruction. Currently, Johnson is the latest in a long line of celebrities to wage war against Diabetes. He’s teamed up with Novo Nordisk, and the Entertainment Industry Foundation, to encourage families to get active together as a way of preventing diabetes.

Diabetes is a growing health concern worldwide, and in the United States 7.8% of children and adults have been diagnosed; and that number is expected to double over the next 25 years. If not treated properly, Diabetes leads to serious complications including blindness, kidney damage, heart disease and amputations.

Dwayne Johnson - The Rock

As an ambassador for the Diabetes Aware campaign, Johnson will appear in public service announcements aimed at educating families about the prevalence of diabetes and the importance of an active, healthy lifestyle.

"I'm honored to serve as an ambassador to the Diabetes Aware campaign, and I want to encourage families to be active and eat right. We can make a difference in our own families through exercise, food choices, and teaching healthy behaviors to our children", says Johnson, the father of an 8-year-old daughter.

The focus of the Diabetes Aware campaign is on helping the 24 million Americans living with diabetes, and raising awareness for the estimated six million who have yet to be diagnosed. The campaign discusses the importance of diabetes detection, monitoring, and the proper management of this progressive disease.

The goal is to motivate people with diabetes to take a more active role in the management and treatment of the disease thereby lessening the risk of side effects. Further, the campaign encourages Americans to talk to their doctor about getting tested.

In Johnson's new public service announcement, he urges everyone to "get outside, play a game, and do something active together”. According to the American Diabetes Association, “just 30 minutes a day of moderate physical activity, coupled with a 5-10% reduction in body weight, produces a 58% reduction in Diabetes”. Small steps can go a long way in managing Diabetes, avoiding its complications, and raising healthy, active children.

So, what are you waiting for? Go outside and play!


Stacy Matson is a health enthusiast from Southern California and regularly blogs on Celebrity Health for A Healthier World, as well as contributing to the Best of the Best.

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