Health Report: Diabetes Is Not Just For Seniors

According to CBS News Correspondent Tony Guida, Type 2 Diabetes was never seen in young people as recently as 15 years ago.  At one time this diagnosis was reserved or at least more common in people over the age of 45! Now younger adults (18-30) teens (13-17) and even children younger than 13 are diagnosed with this disease which may be a result of being over weight or obese!  It is more aggressive in people 10-17 and putting them at risk to deal with illnesses that are associated with the elderly. Now there is a 50% chance that a child that is born today will be diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in the black community. Type 2 Diabetes is a condition in which the fasting blood glucose is greater than 126 on 2 or more test.  It is the most common type of Diabetes.

Most of what we eat is converted to glucose..(the body's cells require this for fuel and energy).  The pancreas produces insulin...(required for glucose to be transported from the bloodstream to the cells).  When the body can't produce enough insulin the glucose levels rise and store in the bloodstream.  High glucose levels can damage blood vessels which leads to high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, blindness, kidney damage, skin infections and amputations.

Hip Hop Artist suffer from this as well and are even trying to bring awareness to the community. D.J. Spinderella lost her mother to the illness and is now a spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association. Anthony Anderson and Angie Stone are a part of F.A.C.E. (Fearless African Americans Connected and Empowered) an initiative from Eli Lilly and Company dedicated to getting the word out to youth about the disease. Other industry artist affected are Phife from Tribe Called Quest and Paradise Gray member of  90's famous XClan.  Ghostface Killah was diagnosed in 2006, Shawty Lo, artist signed to G-Unit was diagnosed 11 years ago.

Research suggest that there are some things one can do to prevent this form of the disease but it is better not to get this disease than to treat it.  Make the right food choices and consume them in appropriate portions. Stay physically active and maintain a healthy body weight.  

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