Type 2 Diabetes Incidence Doubled in 30 Years
Expert says, diabetes is a biological weapon drivien by obesity and has been unleashed on our population, . The number of new cases of type 2 diabetes among middle-aged Americans has doubled over the past 30 years.
Experts agree that the great increase in obesity over the same time frame appears to be responsible for the growing incidence of diabetes. An estimated two-thirds of adult Americans are now overweight or obese.
There has been tremendous concern, but probably not enough concern, about the emerging epidemic of diabetes, says Dr. Robert Rizza, a professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic and president of the American Diabetes Association.
One expert thinks the only way to correct the problem is by making a total lifestyle change.
According to Cathy Nonas, director of the obesity and diabetes program at North General Hospital, in New York City, and a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, the more sedentary we are, the fatter we get, the more insulin resistance we get, the more at risk we are for type 2 diabetes, we have to maintain healthier weights. we have to be active.
SOURCES: Caroline S. Fox, M.D., M.P.H., medical officer at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s Framingham Heart Study; Robert Rizza, M.D., professor of medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., and president, American Diabetes Association; Cathy Nonas, M.S., R.D., C.D.E., director, obesity and diabetes program, North General Hospital, New York City, and spokeswoman, American Dietetic Association; June 20, 2006, Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association
