"The problem with high fructose corn syrup is that it promotes central obesity," Hamilton said. "Another problem with it is that it fools your body into thinking you are hungry. I don't think you need to eliminate it from your diet, you just need to be aware of how much of it you are consuming on a daily basis because too much can lead to serious weight gain."

Keep in mind, he said, type 2 diabetes symptoms often go untreated because there are few or no symptoms until it is too late.

"Having three or more of the risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes over an extended period of time is the equivalent of already having a heart attack," Hamilton said. "These risk factors need to be treated aggressively in order to curb the problem and give you a better chance at a longer, healthier life."methodisthealth./tmhs/home.do