Published: 9 Sep, 2015 — RT USA
Among the findings was that diabetes was more prevalent in those aged 65 years and older, with 33 percent affected, compared to those aged 45-64 years (17.5 percent), and those aged 45 or younger (5 percent). Broken down by gender, diabetes affected 15 percent of men and 13 percent of women.
The study’s findings on the total number of diabetes cases – including those with pre-diabetes, and those who are either diagnosed or undiagnosed – showed that 37 percent of blacks were affected, 50 percent of Asians, 49 percent of Hispanics, 48 percent of Mexican-Americans, and 32 percent of whites.
One of the study’s most interesting findings was an increase in diabetes among Asian-Americans, who have a relatively high prevalence of diabetes and undiagnosed diabetes despite their BMI readings being lower than any other group’s. Menke suggested future research should focus on this group.
Diabetes is a group of diseases caused by the presence of too much glucose in the bloodstream. In Type 1 Diabetes, the pancreas produces little or no insulin, and in Type 2 there are complications in the way the glucose is processed. Most of the diabetes found in the survey was Type 2, which is linked to obesity and inactivity. Pre-diabetes is diagnosed when glucose readings are at borderline levels for diabetes.
Studies have shown that in 2012 diabetes cost $245 billion in treatment costs and lost productivity. Lifestyle changes in diet and exercise can delay or prevent diabetes for those with Type 2, according to many studies.