ONE IN THREE AMERICAN ADULTS WILL
HAVE DIABETES BY 2050
~ Be Part of the
Movement to Stop Diabetes by Going to the American Diabetes
Association EXPO ~
October 2011
(Washington, D.C.) – If the
current trend continues, one in three American adults
will have diabetes by 2050. Every 17 seconds someone
is diagnosed with the disease, which is the leading
cause of kidney failure, non-traumatic lower-limb amputation
and new cases of blindness among adults in the United
States. Right now, it is estimated that 25.8 million
children and adults in the United States have diabetes
and 79 million have prediabetes.
American Diabetes Association
wants as many Americans as possible to be part of the
movement to stop diabetes by going to the American Diabetes
Association EXPO. The EXPO is designed to teach those
with diabetes and those who are living with someone
who has it how to be healthy, active and change the
future of diabetes for the whole family.
The EXPO is a free event
that includes activities for all ages. It is entertaining,
educational and informative. Some of the activities
include: cooking demonstrations and information about
making healthy eating choices, free health screenings,
exhibitors with the latest products and information,
and presentations by experts about diabetes prevention
and management.
Diabetes is a disease in
which the body does not produce or properly use insulin,
a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches
and other food into energy needed for daily life. The
cause of diabetes is a mystery, although both genetics
and environmental factors appear to play roles. Diabetes
is classified as:
-
Type 1. An autoimmune disease in which the body
does not produce any insulin, most often occurring
in children and young adults. People with type 1
diabetes must take daily insulin injections to stay
alive.
-
Type 2. A metabolic disorder resulting from the
body’s inability to make enough or properly use
insulin. This form of the disease is associated
with older age, obesity, family history of diabetes,
prior history of gestational diabetes, impaired
glucose tolerance, physical inactivity and race/ethnicity.
-
Gestational diabetes. Immediately after pregnancy,
5-10% of women with gestational diabetes are found
to have type 2 diabetes. Women who have had gestational
diabetes have a 35-60% chance of developing diabetes
in the next 10-20 years.
For more information about
an EXPO near you, go to www.diabetes.org/EXPO
or call 1-888-DIABETES (888-342-2383).
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