Significant increase in diabetes prevalence in US

More than one out of every three individuals in the United States have diabetes and another 26 percent have impaired fasting glucose, which increases the risk of developing diabetes, according to the June 2006 issue of Diabetes Care.

The findings are based on an analysis of four years of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The study included information on 4,761 adults, age 20 years or older, who were classified according to their glycemic status. Cowie and her team compared data from the 1999-2002 with data from 1988-1994.

"We were surprised by the fact that diagnosed diabetes is increasing," researchers said. "We need to do a better job of diagnosing those one in three who don't know they have it (diabetes) and finding those with impaired fasting glucose."

Courtesy Reuters

Steve - these numbers continue to boggle the mind. The Standard American Diet breeds glucose intolerance. These numbers may get worse after the newest version of the Food Guide Pyramid suggests increasing whole grain consumption.

We could start to reduce these awful statistics if most Americans balanced their food plates. Our Circle of Health is the perfect example for balance: 50% from carbohydrates (2/3 of which from fruits and vegetables), 30% lean protein, 20% healthy fat.