On Healthy Living

The must-read article of the day is this one from the New York Times about diabetes reaching epidemic proportions in the city.

Type 2 diabetes, the most common form, which is usually related to obesity and lack of exercise, used to be called adult-onset diabetes, but the name was changed as now children as young as 7 have the disease. There is no cure, though diabetes can be managed through diet, exercise and insulin shots.

Over the course of a lifetime with diabetes, complications can include heart disease, stroke, blindness and amputations. According to the article, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults and accounts for nearly 70 percent of all amputations.

The article predicts that in another 50 years if trends continue, the average American worker will be obese, missing a limb and blind or with limited vision.

Obviously this disease will have a major toll even for people who don’t have it, at those who do drain social welfare programs, fill hospitals and require huge amounts of assistance to be able to work or function.

This story should be a real wake-up call to those with diabetes or at risk for diabetes, as well as parents who allow their children to watch too much television and eat all sorts of junk food. This is their future if we don’t change our attitudes about diet and exercise.

Sarah White wrote this on January 9th, 2006 and filed it under Healthy Living, Diet & Exercise, Women's Health, Men's Health, Health & Aging |