Diabetes Type 2 Overview

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Diabetes is on the rise in the United States and around the world. Not coincidentally, it parallels the epidemic rise in obesity. Diabetes, or diabetes mellitus, has categories that help to describe its causes and treatment.

The International Diabetes Federation’s data indicates that 285 million people worldwide will live with diabetes in 2010. In the United States other statistics of diabetes nearly 8% of the population or 23.6 million people have diabetes. Those who have pre-diabetes have reached 57 million. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. (ADA)

• Types of Diabetes
• Diabetes Type 1
• Diabetes Type 2
• Gestational Diabetes

Diabetes can be managed by making healthy food choices, leading a physically active life, taking medication (in most cases) and thinking positively! Denying the diagnosis wastes valuable time in beginning to live a healthier life. A diagnosis of diabetes often leaves a person frightened and confused. Questions asked early on include, “What did I do to cause this?” “How will my life and my family’s life change?” and “What can I eat!?”. The best defense against the fear is education.

Fonseca, V.A. (2006). Clinical Diabetes: Translating Research into Practice. Philidelphia: Saunders