Diabetes mellitus or pre-diabetes is reportedly affecting half of the population in the United States, and researchers claim this is good news.
In a study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the findings showed that the percentage of people diagnosed with diabetes mellitus remained steady from 2008–2012.
The findings also mean that following two decades of linear growth, the disease's prevalence in the United States plateaued, according to Los Angeles Times. This is better compared with an increase, but researchers are hoping that the trend will eventually reverse and drop.
Diabetes is a medical condition wherein blood sugar is at abnormal levels. Other than familial tendencies, which is a predisposing factor toward developing diabetes, the disease is generally attributed to obesity, poor diet or lack of exercise.
As a result, a person with this kind of condition may develop problems with eye sight and the kidneys. Furthermore, it will also slow down the body's ability to heal wounds.
Statistics from the American Diabetes Association depict that nearly 71,000 people die yearly due to complications from the disease, Forbes has learned.
"Although obesity and Type 2 diabetes remain major clinical and public health problems in the United States, the current data provide a glimmer of hope," William Herman and Amy Rothberg of the University of Michigan wrote in an article that came with the paper.
Fourteen percent of the Americans were found to have diabetes and 38 percent had pre-diabetes in 2011–2012. The said statistics were the same as in 2007–2008, suggesting that the widespread of rhe disease is leveling off, the Morning Ticker reported.
The study also suggests that the result of the federal state and the government's effort to raise awareness about diabetes and how to prevent it through proper diet and engaging in physical activities are starting to surface.
"Progress has been made, but expanded and sustained efforts will be required," Dr. Herman and Dr. Rothberg said.
