Prevalence of Diabetes in Texas Keeps Rising

by John Michaelson/TNS

AUSTIN, Texas – The arrival of November means it is American Diabetes Month.

It comes as the prevalence of the disease continues to rise across Texas and the country.

Quin Neal, senior executive director of the North Texas chapter of the American Diabetes Association, says the latest numbers show 29 million Americans with diabetes, and it’s not just adults.

“One of the disturbing trends is that we’re starting to see younger and younger people being diagnosed, which at one time you didn’t see that much,” he says. “But now we’re starting to see younger and younger people being diagnosed with Type 2.”

Neal notes that the toll on health from diabetes can be great, with heart disease, kidney failure, blindness and amputations.

Neal says about 95 percent of those people who have diabetes have Type 2, which healthier lifestyle choices with nutrition and physical activity can help prevent.

“Many people, once they are at risk for diabetes, if they would just lose 10 percent of their body weight through increased exercise and watching what they eat and eating right, they can reduce their risk for diabetes considerably,” he points out.

If the current trends don’t change, it’s estimated that by 2050, 30 percent of all Americans will have diabetes.