The number of American adults with diabetes is growing rapidly, with nearly 16%—or about one in six adults—now affected, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This disease develops when the body struggles to manage blood sugar due to problems with insulin, a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels.
Without proper management, diabetes can lead to serious health complications, impacting organs like the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves.
Most diabetes cases (about 95%) are classified as type 2 diabetes. Unlike type 1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune condition often diagnosed in childhood, type 2 diabetes develops when the body’s cells become resistant to insulin.
This resistance causes blood sugar to build up to dangerous levels. Type 2 diabetes is strongly linked to excess weight and is often diagnosed in adults, although it is now increasingly seen in younger people due to lifestyle factors.
The CDC’s data, gathered between mid-2021 and mid-2023, shows a steep rise in diabetes rates compared to 1999–2000, when 9.7% of adults had the condition. Several key factors influence diabetes risk, including age, gender, weight, and educational level.
The study found notable differences between men and women: around 18% of men now have diabetes, while the rate is about 12.9% for women. Age also plays a significant role. Among adults under 40, just 3.6% have diabetes.
However, rates rise with age, reaching 12.1% for adults aged 40-59 and jumping to 20.5% for those 60 and older. These numbers highlight the increased vulnerability to diabetes as people age.
Obesity is another major risk factor. Nearly a quarter (24.2%) of obese adults have diabetes. In contrast, diabetes affects 12.3% of people who are overweight but not obese and just 6.8% of adults with a normal or lower weight.
This shows how carrying extra weight, especially when it reaches obesity levels, increases the likelihood of developing the disease.
Education level also appears to be linked to diabetes risk. The CDC found that around 19.6% of adults with only a high school diploma have diabetes, whereas the rate drops to 10.7% for those with a college degree.
This difference may reflect a range of factors, including access to health education, resources for healthier living, and overall health awareness that often accompanies higher education.
One concerning aspect of the report is the number of undiagnosed cases. Approximately 4.5% of American adults have diabetes but aren’t aware of it, which can lead to complications because unmanaged high blood sugar over time can damage multiple body systems.
Without diagnosis and treatment, diabetes can silently harm organs, leading to potentially severe health problems.
With diabetes rates on the rise, the study emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress, and seeking regular health check-ups, especially as people age.
The findings also suggest that increased education and awareness could be crucial in preventing and managing diabetes, helping people make lifestyle choices that support their long-term health.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about high vitamin D level linked to lower dementia risk in diabetes, and green tea could help reduce death risk in diabetes.
For more information about nutrition, please see recent studies that blueberries strongly benefit people with metabolic syndrome, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
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