Three Lioness Clubs in Lions District 14U sent representatives to the fall Lioness Rally held in Kresgeville. Jennifer Gross, MA, RD, LDN, was the speaker at the Lioness gathering with Lioness from West Penn, Jim Thorpe and Western Pocono Lioness clubs in attendance.

Introduced by District Lioness Liaison Marie Barth of New Ringgold, Gross's focus was information about diabetes. She has been a staff person at St. Luke's Miners Campus in Coaldale for 15 years and there sees hospital patients as well as counseling people."Diabetes is a chronic disease," she said. "It can be treated but not cured." And, she added, "It's a national epidemic at this point," sharing statistics to back up her statement.Those stats included an estimated 40 million having pre-diabetes, a person's warning when an impaired fasting blood sugar reading is obtained after a blood test.Risk factors for pre-diabetes and diabetes include: age-being older than 45; race or ethnic background and family history; high blood pressure; heart disease; high cholesterol; being inactive; and being overweight or obese, enumerated Gross. In older folks, even steroid use and trauma can be responsible for the disease.Symptoms can include blurred vision, excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, weight loss and excessive hunger, she said, explaining the last listing to the group.Treatment includes: diet, exercise, oral medications, insulin and blood sugar testing."Count carbs," Gross told the group stating that diabetes is no longer just avoiding sugar and all things sweet.Diabetes is a major concern for Americans, she acknowledged and advised the group to daily watch their diet and exercise.That diet should include whole grains, fruits and vegetables, lean protein, low-fat dairy, with only limited amounts of sugar and fat. One can eat everything, but it's how much and how often that matters."Prevention is the key," said she."Maintain a healthy weight and active lifestyle," she advised the attentive Lioness, inviting any one of them to join the Diabetic Support Group she chairs at the hospital Monday evenings every other week and giving them the telephone number, (570)645-8107, where she can be reached.