Anderson, 46, describes himself as a “successful generation” who has been nominated twice for Emmy Awards. Born in 1970, Anderson grew up in a California community dominated by gang violence and crime, but he escaped that world through his acting talents.
Early detection and intervention
In 2001, Anderson, then 31, learned that he had type 2 diabetes. He thought the diagnosis shocked him, but in hindsight, the first signs of the disease had actually been detected before.
Anderson recalled, “I started taking naps, which I had never done before.” At first, he thought it was because he was too tired from work, but a doctor told him that might not be the case. One night, Anderson drank more than a dozen liters of water – excessive thirst is a hallmark symptom of diabetes. So Anderson went for a checkup.
Before that, he rarely sought medical attention, but now he regretted it. A simple blood test in the first few years might have caught his rising blood sugar and could have prevented the disease in time. That’s a lesson he wants young people to know. Anderson said, “Young people in particular need to have physical exams, and just like getting your car serviced regularly, people need to pay more attention to themselves.”
Engaging in health management
Type 2 diabetes is almost twice as common in African Americans as it is in non-Hispanic whites. High rates of obesity are a major contributor, and there is also a genetic component of lower insulin sensitivity in African Americans that can increase their risk of developing diabetes.
There are many steps people can take to prevent diabetes and complications. A healthy diet and regular exercise are key components of any diabetes prevention plan or treatment plan.
Anderson changed his lifestyle after he was diagnosed with diabetes. He still consumes the same foods, but in smaller portions. Although he took this step a long time ago, it took him several years to fully commit to managing his disease and taking care of himself.
He recalls it was one morning in 2008 when he woke up from a nap and decided to start making changes. Through increased exercise and healthy eating, he lost more than 45 pounds. Anderson bikes, runs on a treadmill, lifts weights, does gardening work and for a while even became a vegetarian, but now he can eat fish and chicken.
While he still likes fried chicken and steak with butter, he has eaten it very sparingly. “It’s all about moderation,” he said. He also said the philosophy has been passed on to his children. His children also lead healthy lives. They love to play sports and move around. Anderson also tells his children that they “should eat brown rice and not drink soda pop.”