Diabetes to Triple in the U.S. by 2050

America, "land of the free" - yeah, free to eat whatever we want, which isn't exactly doing us any favors. Obesity epidemic, heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and diabetes... lots of diabetes.

And if we don't kick our unhealthy habits, it's going to get a lot worse.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warn if we continue to eat poorly and avoid exercise, one third of Americans will have diabetes by 2050.

Officials at the CDC studied census numbers and data on current diabetes trends, and made models to project future spikes in diabetes. Researchers say unless Americans change their lifestyles, diabetes could become even more common in the United States over the next 40 years.

The new report claims over the next 40 years the prevalence of total diabetes, both diagnosed and undiagnosed, could jump from 1 in 10 adults to between 1 in 5 adults, and 1 in 3 adults by 2050.

A spokesperson for the CDC said, "These are alarming numbers that show how critical it is to change the course of type-2 diabetes."

It's only 2010 and the U.S. is already mired in diabetes. In 2007, the American Diabetes Association estimated 17.9 million people were diagnosed with diabetes, with potentially another 5.7 million undiagnosed cases.

The CDC's current figures are no better. They estimate 24 million U.S. adults have diabetes, with type-2 diabetes being the most common. Poor diet, lack of exercise, and obesity are major risk factors for type-2 diabetes.

But hey, the rest of the world is in bad shape, too. The World Health Organization reports 220 million people have diabetes worldwide. World fail.

Image credit: Bektvel

Health diabetes obesity 7 Comments NEMO on 23 Nov 2010

Worldwide - 5.9% of adults have diabetes

Highest Prevalence (% of population):

Island of Nauru - 30% of population has diabetes
UAE - 18.7% of population has diabetes
Bahrain & Qatar - 17% of population has diabetes
Saudi Arabia - 16.7% of population has diabetes

Highest incidence of diabetes (number in population):

#1 - India
#2 - China
#3 - USA
#4 - Japan
#5 - Pakistan
#6 - Germany
#7 - Russia
#8 - Brazil
#9 - Mexico
#10 - Egypt

Reply Berzerker on 23 Nov 2010

Highest incidence of diabetes (number in population):
#1 - India
#2 - China

So...Not percentage wise? Maybe I misread, Because any idiot can tell you that India and China each have a population of over one billion people, so saying there are more diabetics in India or China than in the US is kind of a big fat "Duh" - More people! Aren't you glad this idiot told you that?

Reply NEMO on 23 Nov 2010

You didn't misread - I specifically noted the two methods of measure of population with diabetes currently in the world. What I find interesting is the percentage of population stats - the middle east has a very high percentage in their populations!

Reply Ryan on 23 Nov 2010

Hah, the FDA/USDA have taken great measures to make sure we haven't been free to eat what we want.

Reply Spectra on 23 Nov 2010

It's not surprising to me at all. Diabetes-related problems account for about 25-30% of our lab's business. Our company's president actually said that he expects an increase in business for us as diabetes becomes more prevalent. My mother-in-law is a type 2 diabetic and is starting to experience kidney failure related to her condition. Her doctor has told her to at least try to exercise, but she refuses to do it. I don't get it--many type 2 diabetics can be almost symptom-free if they alter their diet and get exercise. You'd think that would be the slap in the face they needed to get themselves in gear, but apparently that isn't the case.

Reply ps on 23 Nov 2010

NYC today has a type 2 diabetes epidemic. Over 12% of the population. Of that 12% over 75% are on the lower socio-economic strata. We have porkers yelling for their right to eat like pigs and then have them ask for handouts to treat their self induced illnesses. Then the FDA is under assault by the "American Beverage Council" and industrial food processors. Tax processed crap the liquor and tobacco is taxed while actually apllying the cash to treatment. And by the way to the factoid posters above, islands such as Tonga and others in the Pacific have the highest obesity rates. Type 2 diabetes is close behind.

Reply kitekrazy on 23 Nov 2010

The up side is that sugar free products will be more affordable.

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