U.S. Diabetes Cases Increase by One-Third in 8 Years
U.S. Diabetes Cases Increase by One-Third in 8 Years
Aug. 23, 2000 -- A study from researchers at the CDC confirms what many doctors have long suspected: Americans are getting fatter, the incidence of diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate, and there is a strong connection between the two.
In June 2011, the USDA replaced the food pyramid with a new plate icon.
"Our study confirms there is a strong association between obesity and diabetes -- as strong as smoking and lung cancer," lead researcher Ali Mokdad, PhD, tells WebMD. "This is a serious public health problem. In only eight years, the prevalence of diabetes has increased by about one-third. That's scary." Mokdad is an epidemiologist in the division of nutrition and physical activity at the CDC.
The CDC researchers compared the results of two surveys, one in 1990 and one in 1998. Nearly 150,000 people 18 years and older throughout the U.S. were asked in phone interviews, "Have you been told by a doctor that you have diabetes?"
Here are some of the statistics from the study, which was published in the journal Diabetes Care:
The researchers note that an earlier study had found diabetes costs Americans an estimated $98 billion in 1997.
"This is just the tip of the iceberg," Mokdad says. "If we repeat the study in four or five years, the increase in the number of people who have diabetes will be much more, because the effects of obesity are delayed."
U.S. Diabetes Cases Increase by One-Third in 8 Years
Aug. 23, 2000 -- A study from researchers at the CDC confirms what many doctors have long suspected: Americans are getting fatter, the incidence of diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate, and there is a strong connection between the two.
Editor's Note: Food Pyramid Replaced
In June 2011, the USDA replaced the food pyramid with a new plate icon.
"Our study confirms there is a strong association between obesity and diabetes -- as strong as smoking and lung cancer," lead researcher Ali Mokdad, PhD, tells WebMD. "This is a serious public health problem. In only eight years, the prevalence of diabetes has increased by about one-third. That's scary." Mokdad is an epidemiologist in the division of nutrition and physical activity at the CDC.
The CDC researchers compared the results of two surveys, one in 1990 and one in 1998. Nearly 150,000 people 18 years and older throughout the U.S. were asked in phone interviews, "Have you been told by a doctor that you have diabetes?"
Here are some of the statistics from the study, which was published in the journal Diabetes Care:
- The prevalence of diabetes increased from 4.9% (a total of 13 million people) in 1990 to 6.5% (15 million people) in 1998.
- The biggest increases were seen among people in the 30-39 age group (70%), and among those with the highest education levels (62% for those with some college). There was a 40% increase among people ages 40-49.
- In 1998, 5.5% of men and 7.4% of women had diabetes.
- Between 1990 and 1998, the average weight for men increased from 179 pounds to 186 pounds; the average weight for women increased from 142 pounds to 151 pounds.
- In 1998, about one in three people were overweight. Twenty percent were overweight enough to be considered obese -- up from 11% in 1990.
- States with the biggest increases in diabetes include Minnesota (96%); Illinois (88%); Oklahoma (76%); California (67%); and Colorado and Michigan (54%).
The researchers note that an earlier study had found diabetes costs Americans an estimated $98 billion in 1997.
"This is just the tip of the iceberg," Mokdad says. "If we repeat the study in four or five years, the increase in the number of people who have diabetes will be much more, because the effects of obesity are delayed."
