In the U.S. – Diabetes rate doubled in the last 10 years
Nationally, the rate of new cases climbed from about 5 per 1,000 persons in the mid 1990’s to 9 per 1000 in 2005. About 90 percent of the cases is Type 2 diabetes the form linked to obesity.
In Type 2 diabetics the cells are resistant to accepting insulin, a hormone needed to convert sugar to energy by the cells. Sugar builds up in the blood, leading to complications such as heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and poor circulation.
Diabetes was the seventh-leading cause of death in 2006, according to the CDC. More than 23 million Americans suffer with diabetes. The number is rapidly growing – 1.6 million new cases were diagnosed among adults last year.
Obesity and lack of exercise contribute to the increases in the number of persons diagnosed with diabetes. It’s be easy to control Type 2 diabetes: practice portion control (eat less) and exercise more.