-In 2012, the population of America was almost 314 million people.
-According to JDRF, there are about 3 million type one diabetics in the United States.
–Crunching a few numbers illustrates that type one diabetics comprise less than one percent of the U.S. population.
–Type one diabetes is an autoimmune disorder characterized by an attack on pancreatic islet cells. Due to this attack, not enough insulin is produced to sustain life, making the diabetic insulin-dependent.
–Type one diabetes is not caused by eating too many cookies. Scientific research suggests that type one diabetes is caused by the “perfect storm” of triggers to include viral, genetic, and environmental factors.
–Type 2 diabetes is much more common. According to U.S. News, one in eight Americans is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and evidence shows that many others go undiagnosed. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by improper metabolic activity in regards to the body’s processing of glucose and subsequent use of insulin.
-While type 2 diabetes is often depicted negatively in the media in regards to lifestyle choices, no one wakes up each day with the goal of becoming type 2 diabetic. Although food choices and weight may be risk factors in type 2, other conditions such as genetic predisposition and environment can increase a person’s chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
-There are other types of diabetes such as gestational diabetes, LADA (latent autoimmune diabetes of adults), MODY (maturity-onset diabetes of the young), and CFRD (cystic fibrosis-related diabetes).
-In summary, every type of diabetes is incredibly complex. Until mainstream America recognizes and respects the threat of diabetes, rather than playing the “blame game” towards diabetics, we will continue to see diabetes take a negative toll on our country.
-The good news is that we can change this, and it starts here and now. Read up on diabetes, correct your friends when they make blanket statements which misinterpret the disease, and please support the diabetic online community in our advocacy efforts.
Sources:
http://jdrf.org/about-jdrf/fact-sheets/type-1-diabetes-facts/
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-1-diabetes/basics/definition/con-20019573
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/basics/definition/con-20031902
Very Light, No Sugar 