Number of U.S. Diabetics Expected to Almost Double

The rate of diabetes in the United States has risen dramatically in recent years, posing important new medical and economic issues to the public and to the health insurance industry.

The rise in diabetes cases has been linked to factors like the nation's heavy consumption of sugar-laden products like soda and snack foods, as well as a more sedentary lifestyle.

These factors are especially pronounced in children, who have become increasingly prone to Type 2 diabetes to an extent that medical professionals no longer even typically call it "adult onset diabetes" anymore.

Considering these things, a new study appears in the current issue of the medical journal Diabetes Care which warns that the number of diabetics in the United States will almost double between now and 2034. According to the study, current trends suggest there will be 44.1 million diabetics in the U.S. at that point, up from the current 23.7 million.

One's risk for diabetes is often determined by their genetics, among other factors. However, people can also minimize their risks by exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy diet that includes a moderate sugar intake.

Diabetes is also a potentially expensive problem for people because as a pre-existing condition, it will often result in higher health insurance costs.

ShareThis