Coach Bobby Bowden Thrives Despite Diabetes
the 80-year-old retired Florida State coach encountered a setback when he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Text Size:
March 23, 2010
Bobby Bowden is a legendary football coach whose long career has been peppered with victories, shining moments and 389 wins. However, the 80-year-old retired Florida State coach encountered a setback when he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Bowden, who was in his seventies at the time, felt he was in excellent health and wasn't expecting bad news during his check-up. When his doctor diagnosed him with the disease, he could hardly believe it.
However, when reality eventually set in, Bowden began to look after his health in earnest and has since gotten his blood sugar under control.
"My doctor set me straight," he says. "He told me that it didn't matter if I feel good now. What matters is what could happen down the road. I could go blind, lose a leg or even have a heart attack. Since then, I behave much better."
Bowden is far from being alone in his struggle. The Centers for Disease Control report approximately 23.6 million Americans have diabetes.
Though most experts believe that type 1 diabetes has a strong genetic component and cannot be prevented, a healthy lifestyle that includes avoiding cigarette smoke, eating a healthy balanced diet and getting plenty of exercise, is thought to be helpful in preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes.
Survivors and their families may take advantage of the variety of resources available to them through the American Diabetes Association. By learning to manage their condition, those who suffer from the disease can thrive and go on to live a long and healthy life.
Bobby Bowden is a legendary football coach whose long career has been peppered with victories, shining moments and 389 wins. However, the 80-year-old retired Florida State coach encountered a setback when he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Bowden, who was in his seventies at the time, felt he was in excellent health and wasn't expecting bad news during his check-up. When his doctor diagnosed him with the disease, he could hardly believe it.
However, when reality eventually set in, Bowden began to look after his health in earnest and has since gotten his blood sugar under control.
"My doctor set me straight," he says. "He told me that it didn't matter if I feel good now. What matters is what could happen down the road. I could go blind, lose a leg or even have a heart attack. Since then, I behave much better."
Bowden is far from being alone in his struggle. The Centers for Disease Control report approximately 23.6 million Americans have diabetes.
Though most experts believe that type 1 diabetes has a strong genetic component and cannot be prevented, a healthy lifestyle that includes avoiding cigarette smoke, eating a healthy balanced diet and getting plenty of exercise, is thought to be helpful in preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes.
Survivors and their families may take advantage of the variety of resources available to them through the American Diabetes Association. By learning to manage their condition, those who suffer from the disease can thrive and go on to live a long and healthy life.
