THM
Graph: Rate of diabetes; 1995


The number of Americans with diabetes is up almost 50 percent from 1983, part of a tripling in diabetes rates since 1958, federal statistics show.




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About 16 million Americans now have diabetes, up from 11 million in 1983. Much of the trend is due to the population getting older and fatter, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases in Bethesda, Md.

About half of the people with diabetes don't know they have the disease. They don't recognize the meaning of symptoms like unexplained thirst and frequent urination.

In 1958, diabetes occurred in just less than 1 percent of the nation's population, but now it is up to 3 percent to 4 percent. The increase appears in type II diabetes, which makes up 95 percent of total diabetes cases.

There are several reasons for the trend. More Americans are now in age ranges where type II rates are higher. Type II is diagnosed on average at age 51. Increased rates of obesity and of lack of excercise, both of which raise the risk of type II diabetes, are also responsible.


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