Food for thought...some interesting stats.

Diabetes

21 million Americans have diabetes. It was the 6th leading cause of death listed on death certificates in 2002, and was not listed on 55-60% of the death certificates of decedents with a history of diabetes. The risk of death if you have diabetes is about twice as high as that of people without diabetes of similar age. The incidence of diabetes in the U.S. has gradually increased to an estimated 7% of the total population in 2005 according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse’s National Diabetes Statistics.


Arthritis

42 million people, or 1 in 5 Americans have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. It is the leading cause of disability and causes $34 billion in lost wages.


Weight Concerns

The latest estimates of overweight and obese Americans were published in the April 5, 2006 issue of JAMA. The results are astounding. An estimated 66% of American adults are overweight and 17.3% of children and adolescents ages 2-19 are overweight. 32.2% of American adults are obese and 5% of the same group is extremely obese. Each year the percentage of overweight and obese Americans increases gradually, however one particular group has showed little to no growth in prevalence of obesity. Women, having the largest total percentage of obesity, have maintained a 33% prevalence of obesity from 1999-2004. However, the prevalence of obesity in girls, boys, and men has significantly increased over the same time period, with the boys leading the way with an increase just over 4%. For more information regarding ethnic trends please visit this link: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/06facts/obesity03_04.htm.


These statistics should concern everyone. We need to change the way we eat, drink and live. The numbers will continue to increase if we do not adjust our lifestyles. The follwing posts will address one of the most likely underlying causes of these three and other chronic conditions.