Dallas County is one of the hardest hit areas for obesity and diabetes in the entire country.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is looking to change those statistics and fight back against the disease with an annual diabetes conference.

“In celebration of National Diabetes Month, which is November, we try to offer an educational conference for citizens so they can come and get some of the latest research information on diabetes, their medications, how to eat healthy and just better understand the disease itself,” said Callie Nelson, Dallas County Extension Office Coordinator. “It is predicted that by 2050 that one in three people will be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, if people don’t learn how to manage the disease.”

The conference, to be held Tuesday, Nov. 24 from 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the Central Alabama Farmer’s Co-op, will offer tips on how to better manage diabetes.

“The speakers are going to be really great,” Nelson said. “The speakers are going to be able to inform them on a level that they may not have understood before.”

Topics that will be discussed include diabetes basics, medications and healthy eating.

The theme this year is “America Gets Cooking to Stop Diabetes.”

“What we’re really focusing on at this conference is people who already have the disease, so that they can learn how to manage it for a healthy lifestyle,“ Nelson said.

“You can still have a healthy lifestyle even though you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes.”

Guests will hear about diabetes-friendly recipes and will be able to share favorite recipes.

“Not only will guests receive a lot of great nutritional and educational information, but they will meet people that are going to be there who have been living with diabetes themselves,” Nelson said.

The event is free to attend, and there is an optional $10 lunch. The deadline to register is Thursday, Nov. 20, but Nelson said they would still welcome anyone who was not able to register in time.

“We will work with them, even if they have not preregistered, because we just want to make sure they they’re getting the information,” Nelson said.

For more information or to register, call 875-3200.