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A recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that nearly 16% of American adults which is nearly 1 in 6, now have diabetes. According to a report in U.S. News, increasing age and widening waistlines greatly increase the odds of the disease, which happens when the body doesn’t use insulin properly, resulting in high blood sugar levels.
If diabetes is left unchecked, it can result in life-threatening conditions like heart disease, retinopathy and kidney disease among others. The new data from the CDC has been collected from mid-2021 through mid-2023. It found a huge rise in diabetes rates since 1999-2000 when 9.7% of adult Americans had the disease.
There was a significant gender gap in diabetes rates in 2023: Nearly 1 in 5 men (18%) have the illness, compared to 12.9% of women, according to researchers at the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
Not surprisingly, diabetes rates rose with age. While just 3.6% of adults under 40 had the illness, rates rose to 12.1% for folks ages 40 to 59 and to 20.5% for people 60 and older.
Obesity too has a role in people with diabetes, the data found. Nearly a quarter (24.2%) of obese adults now have diabetes. That’s compared to 12.3% of folks who are overweight but not obese, and 6.8% of normal/underweight adults.
According to a report in U.S. News, education also seems to matter. While about 1 in every 5 (19.6%) of Americans with a high school degree are diabetic, the rate falls to 10.7% for people with a college degree, the researchers found.
The report also says that there are several cases of diabetes that haven’t been diagnosed yet and this poses a real health danger. About 4.5% of adult Americans have diabetes but do not know it. The researchers say that this is a hidden hazard because “uncontrolled blood glucose levels over a long period of time can affect multiple organ systems, including the nervous system, kidneys, eyes, heart and blood vessels.”
Tips To Reduce The Risks Of The Disease
- Eat a Balanced Diet: Prioritize high-fiber foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains which can help regulate blood sugar levels.
- Exercise Regularly: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly to improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Excess weight, especially around the abdomen, increases diabetes risk. Try to maintain a healthy BMI.
- Limit Sugary Foods and Drinks: Reducing the intake of sugary snacks and drinks can help prevent sudden blood sugar spikes.
- Choose Whole Grains: Whole grains are digested slowly, thereby, keeping blood sugar steady and reducing the risk of diabetes.
- Avoid Smoking: Smoking is linked to insulin resistance and a higher risk of diabetes.
- Limit Processed Foods: Processed foods are usually high in unhealthy fats, sugars and sodium, all of which can increase the risk of diabetes.
- Monitor Blood Sugar Levels: If you’re at risk, regular monitoring of blood sugar can help catch early signs.
- Quality Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night as poor sleep affects insulin and blood sugar control.
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