Warning: Diabetes rates raising

Richard A Meyer
3 min readDec 8, 2022

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The number of young people developing Type 2 diabetes has soared over the past 30 years, driven mainly by rising obesity rates, a new study shows. The mortality rate due to the global disease increased from 0.74 percent per 100,000 to 0.77 per 100,000 in 2019, when new diabetes drugs became a “vanity drug” for rapid weight loss, and Americans still aren’t exercising.

Type 2 diabetes impacts an estimated 462 million trusted Source individuals worldwide. While people can take steps to manage their diabetes and practice good health habits, some people can reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the first place.

In The BMJ, researchers argue that weight control is essential to reduce the burden of early-onset Type 2 diabetes. They add that countries should establish policies to deal with the disease effectively.

In 2019, the highest rates of Type 2 diabetes were found among those living in low-middle and middle sociodemographic index countries, as did the highest DALY rate. Meanwhile, countries with a low sociodemographic index had the fewest people diagnosed with the disease but the highest mortality rate related to Type 2 diabetes simultaneously.

Certain risk factorsTrusted Source may increase people’s risk for type two diabetes. Some elements, like genetics, cannot be altered; however, people can control other factors to help reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

For example, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are risk factors. People with obesity can undergo medical treatment and change their eating habits and activity levels to help them maintain a healthy weight and reap the benefits of physical activity.

Some data suggest trusted Sources that factors like inflammation, high blood pressure, high fasting blood sugar levels, and abnormal cholesterol levels may contribute to someone’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The influences of social media on new diabetes drugs

Unfortunately, while diabetes rates increase, new drugs to treat diabetes and lower obesity are selling faster than supply. It doesn’t take much scrolling on social media to discover plenty of people, including celebrities who are not obese and not diabetic, are taking Ozempic or something similar to lose weight.

While Ozempic is not approved by the FDA for weight management, a similar medication called Wegovy got approval earlier this year. The drug maker was quoted in the Wall Street Journal, admitting the company failed to anticipate the following demand.

Right now, few insurers are willing to cover the cost of diabetes weight loss drugs because preliminary data indicate that as soon as patients stop the drug, they regain their weight.

Is the message on exercise lost?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source says, “Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health,” and everyone can benefit.

According to a recent review by trusted Sources, researchers have linked physical inactivity with more than 40 chronic conditions since that early report.

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), different types of exercise can benefit people with, or at risk of, type 2 diabetes by:

  • improving control of blood glucose
  • reducing cardiovascular risk factors
  • helping with weight loss
  • helping with general well-being
  • delaying or preventing the development of type 2 diabetes

Exercise can also benefit people with type 1 diabetes by:

  • improving cardiovascular fitness
  • strengthening muscles
  • improving insulin sensitivity

The ADA says, “Physical activity and exercise should be recommended and prescribed to all individuals with diabetes as part of the management of glycemic control and overall health.”

So far, most Americans aren’t getting the message about exercise, weight loss, and chronic health problems. It’s estimated that less than 25% of Americans get the recommended levels of exercise.

Originally published at https://worldofdtcmarketing.com on December 8, 2022.

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Richard A Meyer

Marketing and Political thought leader — Writer- Audiophile