Diabetes is on the rise in the United States. At the current rate, by 2050, 12 percent of Americans will have diabetes—a total of 48.2 million people. By contrast, in 2005, about 6 percent of the population had diabetes, or 16.2 million people.
The groups hit hardest by this upward trend are older adults and minorities. The number of Hispanics with diabetes is projected to rise nearly six times, and the incidence in African-Americans is expected to triple by 2050. A five-fold increase is predicted for those aged 75 and older.
The trends are sobering, but there is good news. No one is helpless against diabetes.
How can you take action against diabetes?
Learn the facts.
Be aware of risk factors.
Be physically active.
Eat healthy.
The facts
Most Americans with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the body makes insulin, but insulin no longer works as it should to move blood sugar into the cells. The resulting high blood sugar damages small blood vessels and nerves. Silently and often painlessly, high blood sugar leads to serious complications. These include heart disease, kidney failure, numbness, loss of eyesight, and poor circulation in the hands and feet, sometimes leading to amputation.
Type 2 diabetes is most common in obese adults. Actually, type 2 diabetes once was seen only in adults. But now, as more children become obese, an increase in type 2 diabetes among them is occurring as well. Current estimates are that at least one in three babies who were born in the United States in the year 2000 will become diabetic.
These are startling and uncomfortable statistics. But they're not set in stone. Taking action against diabetes can change the numbers. Decreasing your risk is the first step. Learn more.
