They were dancing in the conference room at Queen of the Valley Hospital on Saturday.

Line dancing was part of the second annual Diabetes Health and Exercise Fair at the hospital.

"Exercise doesn't have to be boring," cardiovascular rehab manager Liz Miller told about 30 clients at one session. "And it has an incredible array of benefits."

She said regular exercise can lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar, lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, relieve stress, improve blood circulation and help maintain the proper weight -- all key issues to anyone with diabetes.

"Make exercise activity part of your normal life," she said. She urged people attending the forum to increase their walking activity by at least 10,000 steps every day. That, she said, translates into about one extra mile.

To encourage the added steps, she presented everybody in attendance with personal pedometer to measure their daily walking.

Patients, however, should start slow, then build up gradually, she said.

She also urged diabetes patients to pay particular attention to the health of their feet, as the disease often causes serious foot problems than can lead to amputation. Miller said it is important to wear the proper shoes for different activities, and to get a proper fit.

Diabetes program coordinator Nita Durham said exercise was the focus of the fair, which bore the theme, "Exercise for the health of it."

Diabetes is a serious issue, with an estimated 20 million people diagnosed with the disease in America and another 41 million, many unaware, in the "pre-diabetes stage," she said.

Durham noted clients in her diabetes classes are getting younger. "They used to be 60 to 65, but now some are in their early 30s," she said.

She warned more teenagers are being diagnosed with diabetes, and blamed that on poor eating habits and lack of exercise.

A key to a diabetic's good health, she said, is self management. "You need to be proactive. Get educated."

The fair also featured an exercise class using resistant bands, which are like giant rubber bands; yoga; various blood and blood pressure tests and a host of vendor booths to show off wares ranging from blood sugar level testing instruments to shoes.

"Our goal today is to make exercise fun," Durham said.

Queen of the Valley offers a variety of classes for diabetics and for pre-diabetes patients. For information, contact the QVH Diabetes Wellness Program at 252-4411, ext. 2391.