Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate both in the US and worldwide. It is a serious disease that requires close supervision and treatment to control the side effects and control the disease. If left untreated, serious complications and even death could arise.
Prevalence of Diabetes in the U.S.
- 18.2 million or 6.3% of the population have diabetes
- 13 million people are diagnosed cases
- 5.2 million people have diabetes, but remain undiagnosed
*CDC: National Estimates on diabetes in US, 2002
Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes
- Family history of type 2 diabetes
- Ethnicity: African- Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans have higher rates
- Obesity, especially in the abdominal area
- A diet low in fiber, dairy, fruits, and vegetables and high in sugar and fat
- Low levels of physical activity
- 45 years or older
- History of gestational diabetes, or delivering a baby more than 9 pounds
- Insulin resistance
- Glucose intolerance
You can take the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Risk Test, available at http://www.diabetes.org/risk-test.jsp
To learn more about Type 2 Diabetes, please visit the American Diabetes Association at http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp |
