April 12, 2003
English 101
Speculative Essay
Why Diabetes is increasing in the U.S.
Diabetes is a disease that affects how the body uses glucose, the main type of sugar in the blood. Glucose comes from the foods we eat and is the major source of energy needed to fuel the body’s functions. According to the Australian Indigenous, diabetes is a growing health problem, particularly in developed countries. Global projections of diabetes estimate that by 2011 the total number of individuals with diabetes will be 239.3 million worldwide, with 23.7 million people with type 1 diabetes and 215.6 million with type 2. This figure is expected to rise to 950,000 by 2011. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and constitutes the majority of cases worldwide. It comprises 85-90% of all diabetes cases, making it a significant public health issue in the majority if developed countries. There is an increasing body of evidence to suggest that type 2 diabetes is a consequence of increasing levels of obesity, decreased levels of activity, and increased food availability. Several causes have contributed to the growth of “Diabetes “in the U.S.
One of the most obvious causes in the increase of diabetes is obesity. An excess weight results in excess fat in the body, which causes an improper functioning of the insulin. In fact, according to the Merck Manual, 80 percent to 90 percent of all diabetes patients are overweight or obese. Increased fat increases insulin resistance leading to high blood sugar level and causing diabetes. Obesity and diabetes are among our top public health problems in the United States today, said HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. According to a study just released by the centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that obesity climbed from 19.8 percent of American adults to 20.9 percent of American adults between 2000 and 2001.
Another cause is lack of exercise. These days people don’t prefer a physical work or exercises instead they...