Diabetics on the Rise in America
The prevalence of diabetes in America rose to 6.5 percent in 1998 from 4.9
percent in 1990, an increase of 33 percent. During the same period, the
proportion of people who were overweight rose to 54 percent from 44 percent. The
number of Americans stricken with diabetes now stands at nearly 16 million.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the
incidence of type 2 diabetes or adult-onset diabetes rose significantly between
1990 and 1998 in all regions and demographic groups and in nearly all states.
Type 1 diabetes accounts for the remaining five to ten percent of cases and is
resulted from malfunction of the immune system. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90
to 95 percent of the cases and can be caused by inactivity or weight gain.
Experts blame the rising weight of Americans to the nation’s television and
computer habits; inactivity and overeating especially high-calorie foods.
Studies also show that the risk of diabetes increase by four percent for every
pound of excess weight.
Diabetes increased during the study period by 70 percent among subjects aged
30 to 39, 40 percent among those aged 40 to 49 and by 31 percent among those
aged 50 to 59. Hispanics had the highest increase at 38 percent compared to
whites with a 29 percent and blacks at 26 percent.
Information provided is courtesy of and compiled by the Academy of Anti-Aging
Research staff, editors, and other reports.
Anti-Aging Perspective:
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has skyrocketed in the past 20 years. In
part it is due to the high carbohydrate and high sugar intake commonly found in
the modern day diet. This disease is reaching epidemic proportions. The
statistics going forward paints a even grimmer picture, with more people
developing this disease earlier.
Type 2 diabetes can be cured with exercise and diet alone in the majority of
cases. Unfortunately this requires lifestyle changes that few are capable of
achieving. Chromium is a natural sugar balancer and works well for those who
have mild to moderate stages of hyperglycemia. Make no mistake about it,
diabetes kills and is a leading cause of death. Sugar is a negative fountain of
youth and causes accelerated aging.
