The number of Americans with diabetes continues to increase,
according to CDC's most recent National Diabetes Fact Sheet. So
does the number of Americans with prediabetes, a condition that
increases their risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and
stroke.
The National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 2011, provides data
on how many Americans have diabetes, as well as information on age,
racial and ethnic differences in diabetes, and on complications of
the disease. Below are some highlights from the fact sheet.
Diabetes affects 8.3% of all Americans and 11.3% of adults age
20 and older. Some 27% of people with diabetes – 7 million
Americans – do not know they have the disease. In 2010, 1.9 million
Americans were first diagnosed with diabetes.
Prediabetes affects 35% of adults age 20 and older, and half of
Americans age 65 and older. Prediabetes is a condition in which
blood glucose (sugar) levels are higher than normal, but not high
enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.
CDC estimates that as many as 1 in 3 U.S. adults could have
diabetes by 2050 if current trends continue. Type 2 diabetes, in
which the body gradually loses its ability to use and produce
insulin, accounts for 90% to 95% of cases. Risk factors for type 2
diabetes include older age, obesity, family history, having
diabetes while pregnant, a sedentary lifestyle and
race/ethnicity.
Age, Gender, Racial and Ethnic Differences in Diabetes
Diabetes is more likely to affect older Americans, although
there are Americans of all ages with the disease. Almost 27% of
people age 65 years and older had diabetes in 2010.
About 215,000 people younger than 20 years have diabetes (type 1
or type 2). This represents 0.26% of all people in this age
group.
As in previous years, disparities exist among ethnic groups and
minority populations including Native Americans, blacks and
Hispanics. Rates of diagnosed diabetes include:
- Native Americans and Alaska Natives (16.1%)
- Blacks (12.6%)
- Hispanics (11.8%)
Among Hispanics, rates include:
- Puerto Ricans (13.8%)
- Mexican Americans (13.3%)
- Cubans and Central and South Americans (7.6%)
Women who develop diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes)
have a 35% to 60% chance of developing type 2 diabetes in the next
10 to 20 years.
Complications from Diabetes
Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death and
can lead to permanent disability and poor health. People with
diabetes can experience numerous serious and deadly complications,
including heart disease and stroke, blindness, chronic kidney
disease, and amputations.- The risk for stroke is 2 to 4 times higher among people with
diabetes. Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about
2 to 4 times higher than adults without diabetes.
- Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among
adults aged 20–74 years.
- Diabetes is also the leading cause of kidney failure,
accounting for 44% of new cases in 2008.
- More than 60% of leg and foot amputations not related to
accidents and injuries were performed on people with diabetes. In
2006, that amounted to 65,700 amputations.
Preventing Type 2 Diabetes
It is possible to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes in those at
high risk for developing the disease. Clinical trials have shown
that losing 5 to 7 percent of body weight – that's 10 to 14 pounds
for a 200-pound person – and getting at least 150 minutes of
moderate physical activity each week reduces the risk of type 2
diabetes by nearly 60 percent in those at high risk for developing
the disease.
CDC's National Diabetes Prevention Program supports establishing
a network of community-based, group lifestyle intervention programs
for overweight or obese people at high risk of developing type 2
diabetes. Thirty-three U.S. sites will offer group lifestyle
interventions in 2011, with plans to expand to other
communities.
Diabetes Management and Control
Diabetes can lead to serious complications and
premature death, but people with diabetes can take steps to control
the disease and lower the risk of complications, such as:
- Talk to your health care provider about how to manage your
blood glucose (sugar), blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Learn about what foods and drinks belong in a healthy diet, and
proper portion sizes.
- Be physically active for 30 – 60 minutes on most days of the
week.
- Stay at a healthy weight.
- Check your blood glucose and take medicines the way your doctor
tells you to.
- Get routine care. See your health care team at least twice a
year to find and treat problems.
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