Recent data on diabetes cases indicates diabetes is rising rapidly in the U.S. According to a new Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index survey, the disease is now affecting 11.3% of American adults, up from 10.4% in Q3, 2009. This equates to about 26 million Americans now, and if the trend continues, 37 million w by the end of 2015.
Interestingly, the survey also showed the U.S. obesity rate is up about 1 percent on Q:Q comparisons with 2008. Individuals who are obese are almost three times as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes. Currently, more than one-fifth of obese adults have diabetes [21.2%, compared to 7.4% of non-obese of similar age]
Further correlations indicated a higher incidence of diabetes among those who didn’t exercise at least a half hour on any given day in the previous week. Indications of exercise undertaken in the week prior to the survey:
- Exercised at least 30 minutes a day, every day – 9.5%
- Exercised at least 30 minutes a day, four to six times – 8%
- Did not exercise at least 30 minutes any time -15%
Maybe the government does need to introduce a FAT TAX – not on the food, but on the people. It will solve the health budget and economy all in one hit.