Jerry Mathers: Health Story

Aired on Lifetime Television
Sunday, November 11 and December 30, 2007
Show 426

We have known him since he was just a little guy and charmed us as the Beaver on television. He's still charming audiences today and inspiring people who have diabetes to take control. "I was first diagnosed with diabetes about ten years ago. You know, I knew I was overweight, but a lot of people were overweight," says Jerry. He had no idea the damage he was doing to his body, and would continue to do until he took control and lost weight. "I found out that one of the most important things to do is test yourself, because you can find out what your blood sugars are. If you have high blood sugars, you're absolutely doing damage to your kidneys, your eyes, your liver," he says. Jerry controls his diabetes with diet and exercise and says if you're diagnosed with diabetes, the best thing to do is not panic and just take care of it. "If you are at risk, go to your doctor. It doesn't necessarily mean you have it. But the quicker you can take control of diabetes and not let it control you, the better off you'll be," says Jerry.