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Editor's Note: This is part of a yearlong series, Defy Diabetes. Throughout this yearlong series focusing on the prevention of type 2 diabetes, OC Family Magazine has pledged to keep you current on the latest news and information about the disease. In this, our second quarterly recap, we bring you critical updates concerning research and findings related to diabetes. DIABETES OVERTAKES AIDS: Today, diabetes kills more people than AIDS, surpassing the annual AIDS death toll, which is 3 million. Today, some 171 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes, and that number will more than double to 366 million by 2030, according to the World Health Organization and the International Diabetes Foundation. Almost 17 million Americans have diabetes, type 1 or type 2 a disease that affects the body’s ability to manage glucose, or blood sugar. OBESE TEENS SEE RESULTS WITH LOW-CAL, LOW-CARB DIET: A new study, recently published in Diabetes Care magazine, notes that obese teenagers can benefit greatly from a low-calorie diet, high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Results show both short- and long-term benefits for managing type 2 symptoms. STRESS AND DIABETES: Researchers are studying the link between stress and the development of juvenile diabetes (type 1). When the disease forms, the immune system destroys beta cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. It’s theorized that increased stress levels put a strain on beta cells, ultimately affecting the secretion of insulin. Some 17,000 Swedish children were involved in the study that showed those experiencing high levels of stress are more likely to show symptoms of diabetes. GERM-FREE ENVIRONMENT MAY LEAD TO DIABETES: Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute hypothesize that children who are not exposed to enough germs in their early years do not develop strong immune systems. They are considering the correlation between a weak immune system and the development of diabetes. Dr. Patricia McKinney, one of the researchers involved in the study, wrote, “We know that children who go to day nurseries in their early life are less likely to develop type 1 diabetes.” POOR COUNTRIES MORE VULNERABLE: Diabetes is growing faster in poorer countries. For example, India is expected to see an increase from its current 32 million cases to 80 million over the next 25 years. 5-YEAR-OLD, YOUNGEST DIAGNOSIS FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES: While type 2 diabetes was formerly referred to as “adult onset” diabetes, doctors say that more and more children are exhibiting symptoms. A 5-year-old East German child is now the youngest child to suffer from type 2 diabetes. The child’s weight is twice what it should be. Previously, a 9-year-old French child was the youngest type 2 diabetes patient on record. CELEBRITIES COME OUT: As the disease gains world attention, celebrities such as Dick Clark, Della Reece and Halle Berry have revealed their diabetic condition in order to increase awareness about the disease. Berry helped launch National Diabetes Awareness month. - Kimberly A. Porrazzo |
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