Oklahoma professor calls diabetes a health epidemic in the state

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A University of Oklahoma Health Science Center professor says diabetes is a health epidemic in Oklahoma fueled by obesity and sedentary lifestyles.<br/><br/>Doctor Timothy J. Lyons,

Thursday, September 30th 2004, 5:51 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A University of Oklahoma Health Science Center professor says diabetes is a health epidemic in Oklahoma fueled by obesity and sedentary lifestyles.

Doctor Timothy J. Lyons, medical director of the OU Diabetes Center, says diabetes is costly for the state in terms of medical care, lost work days and permanent disabilities.

The American Diabetes Association of Western Oklahoma says nearly 10% of Oklahomans either have diabetes or will be diagnosed with it in their lifetime.

Diabetes often is referred to as a silent killer because victims may not know they have it until the disease causes a heart attack, stroke or kidney failure.