Diabetes

Diabetes

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Diabetes |
Public Awareness and Human Diseases |
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Cheryl Satterly |
6/11/2011 |
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Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that is widespread affecting many people, not just in the United States , but around the world as well.   “Diabetes is a defect in the body’s ability to convert glucose (sugar) to energy. Glucose is the main source of fuel for our body” (Diabetes Research Wellness Foundation, n.d.)   It is possible to have the disease and not be aware of it.   There are two main types of diabetes; these being type 1and type 2, however there are also types known as pre-diabetes and insulin resistance as well as gestational diabetes.   Because of the different types of diabetes, charcteristics of the groups affected by the disease can differ greatly.
Characterists of those affected by Type 1 Diabetes
  * “About 5% to 10% of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.1
  * About 1 in every 400 children and adolescents has type 1 diabetes.1
  * Type 1 diabetes most often develops in girls around 10 to 12 years of age and in boys around 12 to 14 years of age.
  * The incidence of type 1 diabetes seems to be increasing, and there appears to be an increase among young children, especially from birth to age 4. It is not clear why this is occurring.
  * White people have a higher rate of type 1 diabetes than other racial groups.” (Rea, Who is affected by type 1 diabetes, 2008)

Characteristics of those affected by Type 2 Diabetes
  * “The risk of type 2 diabetes increases with age.
  * Type 2 diabetes is more common in African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders than in whites.
  * The number of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is increasing.
  * Until recently, the only type of diabetes that was common in children was type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes has become much more common in children.
  * Most children who have type 2 diabetes have a family history of diabetes, are overweight,...