According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), up to a third of U.S. adults could have diabetes by 2050 if they continue to gain weight and avoid exercise.
The CDC expects the numbers to rise as the population gets older, however the rates will be even higher if people don't change their eating and lifestyle behaviour.
They project that over the next 40 years, the prevalence of diabetes, both diagnosed and undiagnosed, in the United States will increase from its current level of about one in 10 adults to between one in five and one in three adults in 2050.
The CDC says about 24 million U.S. adults have diabetes now, most of them type-2 diabetes linked strongly with poor diet and lack of exercise. They said successful programs to improve lifestyle choices on healthy eating and physical activity must be made more widely available to slow the rate of the disease.
Type 1 diabetes is a disease in which the pancreas does not produce any insulin, whereas type 2 diabetes is when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or the body does not properly use the insulin it makes.
To date there is no proven way to prevent type 1 diabetes. The onset of type 2 diabetes may be prevented or delayed, through increased physical activity, healthy eating and weight loss. One study found that people at risk of type 2 diabetes were able to reduce their risk by over 55% just by exercising moderately for 30 minutes a day and by losing 5 to 7% of their body weight. In people age 60 and older, the risk was cut by almost 71%.
According to the Canadian Diabetes Association, more than 9 million Canadians live with diabetes or prediabetes. For more information on diabetes, please visit the Canadian Diabetes Association website, by clicking here.
The CDC expects the numbers to rise as the population gets older, however the rates will be even higher if people don't change their eating and lifestyle behaviour.
They project that over the next 40 years, the prevalence of diabetes, both diagnosed and undiagnosed, in the United States will increase from its current level of about one in 10 adults to between one in five and one in three adults in 2050.
The CDC says about 24 million U.S. adults have diabetes now, most of them type-2 diabetes linked strongly with poor diet and lack of exercise. They said successful programs to improve lifestyle choices on healthy eating and physical activity must be made more widely available to slow the rate of the disease.
Type 1 diabetes is a disease in which the pancreas does not produce any insulin, whereas type 2 diabetes is when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or the body does not properly use the insulin it makes.
To date there is no proven way to prevent type 1 diabetes. The onset of type 2 diabetes may be prevented or delayed, through increased physical activity, healthy eating and weight loss. One study found that people at risk of type 2 diabetes were able to reduce their risk by over 55% just by exercising moderately for 30 minutes a day and by losing 5 to 7% of their body weight. In people age 60 and older, the risk was cut by almost 71%.
According to the Canadian Diabetes Association, more than 9 million Canadians live with diabetes or prediabetes. For more information on diabetes, please visit the Canadian Diabetes Association website, by clicking here.
All research on this web site is the property of Leslie Beck Nutrition Consulting Inc. and is protected by copyright. Keep in mind that research on these matters continues daily and is subject to change. The information presented is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. It is intended to provide ongoing support of your healthy lifestyle practices.