A recent study by researchers from the University of Georgia reveals that Type 2 diabetes has seen a sharp rise in the U.S., with cases increasing by nearly 20% between 2012 and 2022.
The findings, published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, show that diabetes has affected people from all backgrounds, but certain groups have been hit harder than others.
One of the most significant takeaways from the study is that non-Hispanic Black individuals have been particularly affected. Almost 16% of the Black participants in the study reported being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
This is a concerning statistic, as it highlights the disproportionate impact the disease has on this group. Meanwhile, older adults have also been severely impacted, with over one in five individuals aged 65 and above having the condition.
In fact, this age group is over 10 times more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than younger adults between the ages of 18 and 24.
The study also found significant differences in diabetes rates based on income and education levels. Individuals with lower incomes were much more likely to have diabetes compared to those with higher incomes.
In fact, people with higher incomes were 41% less likely to receive a diabetes diagnosis. Additionally, having a college education also seemed to play a protective role, as individuals with a college degree were 24% less likely to have diabetes.
“Diabetes is becoming more common in the U.S. and is expected to continue rising in the future,” said Sulakshan Neupane, the lead author of the study and a PhD student at the University of Georgia.
“The cost of diabetes is extremely high, with the total reaching around $412 billion. This includes both medical expenses and indirect costs like lost productivity. As more people are diagnosed, this cost will only grow.”
There are some risk factors for diabetes that cannot be changed, such as age and race.
However, Neupane points out that there are still ways people can lower their risk. Staying active and maintaining a healthy weight are two key steps that can reduce the chances of developing the disease.
In addition to examining how diabetes affects different sociodemographic groups, the study looked at geographic differences in diabetes rates.
The researchers analyzed data from a large health survey known as the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, which includes responses from more than 400,000 people across the country.
They found that certain regions in the U.S. were particularly vulnerable to diabetes, especially the South and Midwest. States such as Arkansas, Kentucky, and Nebraska saw some of the biggest increases in diabetes rates over the ten-year study period.
Ten states had diabetes rates that rose by 25% or more between 2012 and 2022. These states included Arkansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Texas, Alabama, Minnesota, Illinois, West Virginia, Delaware, and Massachusetts.
Neupane emphasized the importance of focusing on these regions to help reduce the spread of diabetes. “Policymakers and health officials need to pay attention to these areas, as people living there are at a higher risk of developing diabetes,” he said.
The study also pointed out that people who are overweight or obese are much more likely to have diabetes. In 2022, one in five obese participants in the study reported being diagnosed with the disease. Among those who were overweight, the rate was one in ten.
However, the study found that physical activity helped reduce the risk of diabetes. Individuals who were physically active had a diabetes rate of less than 10%, while those who were not physically active experienced a rate closer to 19%.
Neupane stressed the importance of identifying and addressing the factors that increase the risk of diabetes. He encouraged people to be more physically active and to pay attention to their health, as these are effective ways to reduce the risk of developing the disease.
“Some things, like age and race, can’t be changed. But people can take action to lower their risk by eating healthily, staying active, and losing weight if necessary,” Neupane said.
In summary, the study highlights the growing burden of Type 2 diabetes in the U.S., especially among older adults, non-Hispanic Black individuals, and those with lower incomes.
While some risk factors are out of people’s control, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk, such as staying active and maintaining a healthy weight.
With diabetes rates continuing to rise, it’s essential to take these preventive measures seriously to reduce the impact of the disease in the years to come.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about 5 vitamins that may prevent complication in diabetes, and how to manage high blood pressure and diabetes with healthy foods.
For more health information, please see recent studies about vitamin D and type2 diabetes, and to people with type 2 diabetes, some fruits are better than others.
The research findings can be found in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
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