Mike Huckabee is an American politician who has run for presidency of the United States and was the Governor of Arkansas between 1996 and 2007.
Huckabee was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2003, at the age of 47, when he was told by doctors that he probably had another 10 years to live, at most.
Political career
Huckabee lost his first political race to become Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas in 1992, but won the seat in 1993 and held it for three years.
In 1996, Huckabee replaced Jim Guy Tucker as the Governor of Arkansas, while in 1998 and 2002, he was re-elected.
By 2007, Huckabee held the third-longest tenure of any Arkansas Governor.
Huckabee ran in the 2008 presidential electio, but withdrew in March 2008 when he faced losing in Texas and with John McCain set to win the Republican nomination.
In 2015, Huckabee announced that he would be making a second bid to enter the White House in the 2016 presidential election.
Type 2 diagnosis
Huckabee saw his doctor in 2002 with numbness in his arm. He learned afterwards that he was type 2 diabetic and at 280 pounds, he needed to lose weight urgently to reduce his risk of cardiovascular problems.
In 2003, a heart catheterisation came back negative, but Huckabee was told that without lifestyle changes, he may not live another decade.
He undertook a program of weight loss, diet and supplements, losing 100 pounds in the process. Subsequently, Huckabee launched Healthy Arkansas, a health initiative promoting healthier eating, more exercise and quitting smoking.
