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Which infants have the highest risk of developing diabetes as they mature? Asians, Native Hawaiians, blacks, Hispanics, and other Pacific Islanders, have significantly higher risks of developing diabetes than whites do. Non-Hispanic whites have nearly an 8.7 percent chance of developing diabetes, while non-Hispanic blacks have a 13.3 percent chance. When you group all of the Hispanic/Latino population together they have 9.5 percent chance of developing diabetes however, Mexican Hispanics have a 13.3 percent chance. American Indians and Alaska Natives have a 12.8 percent chance of developing diabetes while Asians, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders have nearly a 16 percent chance of developing diabetes.
In 2005, there were 1.5 million new cases of diabetes diagnosed in the United States. Diabetes is a leading cause of disability and death in the U.S. and is a growing epidemic. In 2002, diabetes was the sixth leading cause of death listed on U.S. death certificates; however, researchers feel that diabetes may be underreported as the cause of death. Having diabetes increases a persons risk for heart attack, stroke, and diseases of the kidney, eye, and nerves.
The good news is that much of the illness and death caused by diabetes can be prevented or delayed by optimal management of the disease according to research. Things like healthy food choices, physical activity, and medications to normalize blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and lipids improve health outcomes. While type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, type 2 can be prevented or at least delayed. Engaging in regular physical activity, modest weight loss, and a healthy diet can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes only used to affect adults however; children are increasingly being diagnosed due to the obesity epidemic in the U.S.
People at high risk for type 2 diabetes are being urged by The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) to take small steps to lower their risk.
1. Set small goals you can achieve such adding one or two healthy changes a week.
2. Try to lose five to seven percent of your current weight by getting 30 minutes or more of physical activity five days a week and eating healthy foods low fat and calories.
3. Get the support of your family and friends. Include them in your new healthy lifestyle choices by planning family walks or outings, serving healthier meals, and providing healthy snacks.
4. Choose healthy food everyday. Keep fresh fruit and vegetables on hand for snacks as well as yogurt, cheese, and low fat milk.
5. Try to prepare healthy meals. You can save time by preparing extra and freezing some for later. Try baking, grilling, or broiling instead of frying. Always remember to have a fruit or vegetable at each meal.
6. Try reducing portion sizes. Don’t super size your fast food meals; bring some of your restaurant meal home for the next day’s lunch. Read labels to determine actual portion size, you might be surprised to find out how many servings you have actually been eating.
7. Choose water to drink more often than sweetened drinks or soda. Drinking a glass of water 10 minutes before you eat can reduce your hunger, which will help you eat slower and fill up faster.
8. Try to walk more often. Take your children and your dog for regular walks. Walk with coworkers at lunch or with your friends.
9. Add physical activity to your day by dancing to your favorite music while doing household chores. Take the stairs instead of the elevator when you can. Walk next door instead of driving.
10. Check out NDEP’s free resources for more ways to lower your risk for type 2 diabetes. Order the More Than 50 Ways to Prevent Diabetes tip sheet and other resources by calling 1-888-693-NDEP (6337) or visit YourDiabetesInfo.org and click on the Small Steps. Big Rewards. Prevent Type 2 Diabetes. Campaign.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Diabetes Education Program is jointly sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with the support of more than 200 partner organizations.
NDEP has produced these copyright-free campaign tools to help you promote diabetes prevention and control. NDEP encourages its partners to download these tools and reproduce and distribute them to local media and other community media channels. Feel free to add your organization’s logo to let everyone know you are an NDEP partner and support these messages.
