Nearly 350 million adults have diabetes

A major international study collating and analyzing worldwide data on diabetes since 1980 has found that the number of adults with the disease reached 347 million in 2008, more than double the number in 1980. The research, published today in The Lancet, reveals that the prevalence of diabetes has risen or at best remained unchanged in virtually every part of the world over the last three decades.

Diabetes occurs when the cells of the body are not able to take up sugar in the form of glucose. As a consequence, the amount of glucose in the blood is higher than normal. Over time, this raises the risk of heart disease and stroke, and can also cause damage to the kidneys, nerves and retinas. High blood glucose and diabetes are responsible for over three million deaths worldwide each year.

The new study found that between 1980 and 2008, the number of adults with diabetes rose from 153 million to 347 million. Seventy per cent of the rise was due to population growth and aging, with the other 30 per cent due to higher prevalence. The proportion of adults with diabetes rose to 9.8 per cent of men and 9.2 per cent of women in 2008, compared with 8.3 per cent of men and 7.5 per cent of women in 1980.

The estimated number of diabetics was considerably higher than a previous study in 2009 which put the number worldwide at 285 million.

You can read the rest of the article HERE.

State Obesity Ranking

CNN reports that heavy kids miss more school. A new study observing more than 1,000 4th, 5th, and 6th graders from the Philadelphia school system found 4 main predictors for missing school including

• RACE
• AGE
• SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS
• GENDER

Southerners, poor have highest rates of obesity!

1 Mississippi (34.4%) 

2. Alabama (32.3%)

3. West Virginia (32.2%)

4. Tennessee (31.9%)

5. Louisiana (31.6%)

6. Kentucky (31.5%)

7. Oklahoma (31.4%)

8. South Carolina (30.9%)

9. Arkansas (30.6%)

10. Michigan (30.5%)

11. Missouri (30.3%)

12. Texas (30.1%)

13. Ohio (29.6%)

14. North Carolina (29.4%)

15. Indiana (29.1%)

16. Kansas (29%);

17. (tie) Georgia (28.7%); and South Dakota (28.7%)

19. Pennsylvania (28.5%)

20. Iowa (28.1%)

21. (tie) Delaware (28%); and North Dakota (28%)

23. Illinois (27.7%)

24. Nebraska (27.6%)

25. Wisconsin (27.4%)

26. Maryland (27.1%)

27. Maine (26.5%)

28. Washington (26.4%)

29. Florida (26.1%)

30. (tie) Alaska (25.9%); and Virginia (25.9%)

32. Idaho (25.7%)

33. (tie) New Hampshire (25.6%); and New Mexico (25.6%)

35. (tie) Arizona (25.4%); Oregon (25.4%) and Wyoming (25.4%)

38. Minnesota (25.3%)

39. Nevada (25.0%)

40. California (24.8%)

41. New York (24.7%)

42. Rhode Island (24.3%)

43. New Jersey (24.1%)

44. Montana (23.8%)

45. Vermont (23.5%)

46. Utah (23.4%)

47. Hawaii (23.1%)

48. Massachusetts (22.3%);

49. Connecticut (21.8%)

50. District of Columbia (21.7%)

51. Colorado (19.8%).

Source: Trust for America's Health; Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Rankings are based on combining three years of data (2007-2009) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

The CDC predicts 1 out of 3 children, born after the year 2000, will end up getting diabetes in their lifetime.  There is a world wide epidemic going on.  Regular exercise combined with a healthy diet are the major weapons to fight diabetes.

How can we help?

The martial arts offers a great way to lose weight, develop both upper and lower body strength, as well as building a strong core.

You are welcome to participate in one of our classes anytime for FREE, without any obligation!

Sensei Chris Feldt

Samurai Karate Studio

Columbia, SC 29229

803-462-9425

samuraikaratestudio@gmail.com