Jerry Mathers, best known for his role in the popular black and white sitcom “Leave it to Beaver” recently spoke to Charleston West Virginia residents about his successful battle against Type 2 diabetes, according to an article in the Charleston Daily Mail. The state has the higher rate of Type 2 diabetes in the nation.
Mathers, now 61 years old, says he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at the age of 50 in 1996. He said doctors said he would only live another three to five years. To avoid the death sentence, he undertook some serious lifestyle and dietary changes and was able to shed 60 pounds. After his childhood acting career, Mathers says he put on about 50 pounds.
Mathers, who is now a spokesman for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and its Partnership for Prescription Assistance program, says his weight loss actually helped him improve his condition significantly to the point where he is now considered “pre-diabetic.” Pre-diabetes is a condition where the patient experienced higher-than-normal blood sugar levels but they are not high enough to be considered Type 2 diabetes.
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I really miss those old shows when growing up.