| 11/12/2001 | Diabetes is a serious, costly, and increasingly common chronic disease that affects nearly 16 million Americans and contributes to almost 200,000 deaths a year. An estimated 10.3 million Americans have diagnosed diabetes, and another 5.4 million have undiagnosed diabetes. Among adults, the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes, including gestational diabetes, increased 33% from 1990 to 1998. The largest increase (76%) occurred among people aged 30-39.
The number of Americans diagnosed with diabetes will soar 165% over the next 50 years, according to a study published in Diabetes Care. Dr. James P. Boyle from the CDC found that 29 million Americans will be diagnosed with diabetes in 2050, compared with 11 million today. The good news: getting people to improve their diet and exercise habits could slow this alarming increase.
“Dramatic new evidence signals the unfolding of a diabetes epidemic in the United States. With obesity on the rise, we can expect the sharp increase of diabetes rates to continue. Unless these dangerous trends are halted, the impact on our nation's health and medical care costs will be overwhelming," said Dr. Jeffrey Koplan, Director of CDC.
While over consumption of fast food and other high fat foods is part of the problem, reduced physical activity and neighborhoods with neither parks nor connecting sidewalks also play a role, Dr. William Dietz of CDC said. Obesity is second behind tobacco in U.S. health risk factors, contributing to 300,000 deaths a year. 25% of Americans are obese, resulting in $100 billion a year in national health care costs, or one in every $10 spent, Dietz said, and diabetes, often an obesity complication, represents 25% of all Medicare costs. Dr. Boyle said, "Our study strongly supports the need for people who are at risk for diabetes to make these changes, such as developing better eating habits and maintaining a regular exercise program."www.cdc.gov
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