The CDC announced their newest findings on diabetes and the results may be startling to some.

The data ranges from 1993 to 2009. In 1993, 3.9% of adults in the gem state suffered from type 2 diabetes. Today, fifteen years later,  7.4 percent of Idaho adults are diagnosed

Last month 66-year-old Merlin Blad, a father of eight, including Pocatello's new mayor Brian Blad, was diagnosed with type II diabetes.

Merlin Blad: "My thoughts were that doesn't surprise me. There's nothing like a good donut."

Adult onset diabetes is drastically increasing throughout the country, including the gem state. In Idaho, 7.4% of adults suffer. Compare this to 1993 when only 3.9 % of Idahoans were diagnosed. Diabetes is rapidly increasing.

Debra  Jolly, Diabetes Educator: "Idaho historically has been lower than the national average, but we're catching up."

Merlin Blad: "Now it doesn't surprise me because I think our food consumption has gone to carbohydrates and sugars. I mean, we love donuts, and cakes and desserts."

A glucose screening was held at Portneuf Medical Center this morning. People could come and get their blood sugar levels tested at no charge.

Debra Jolly Diabetes Educator: "A screening just basically tells them if they're in a normal range or not a normal range. And if they're out of range, we can recommend they see their physician."

To learn your blood sugar levels, you can go to your doctor or find a glucose screening in the community. A good reading would be between 80 and 120.

Debra Jolly, Diabetes Educator: "A lot of fast foods. A lot of restaurant foods. And so those contribute to becoming overweight and being overweight increases your risk of diabetes."

Bingham county has the highest percentage of adults with diabetes at 10 %. The county with the lowest rate is Blaine at 4.6%.

Debra Jolly: "There's a couple of ethnic groups that probably have a high population in Bingham county. The Native American and Hispanic. Both of those ethnic groups have a higher risk of diabetes."

Debra believes prevention and education are Idaho's greatest tools in helping the numbers to go down.

Debra Jolly: "Get out there and be active. Eat a healthy diet which includes whole grains and lean meats, fruits and vegetables every day."

Merlin is visiting with a dietician and changing his lifestyle.

Merlin Blad: "I just have to be careful what I eat so it keeps my blood sugar down."

Merlin has been on his new diet for three days now. He said the hardest part has been eating less sugar, but he's  excited to be changing habits, and hoping to also lose some weight.