DiabetesHealthPolling

Poll Watch: American Diabetes Rate Levels Off and Obesity Rate Declines Slightly

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According to the latest Gallup Poll.

In the third quarter of 2011, 11% of Americans reported having ever been diagnosed with diabetes. This measurement and the 10.6% that Gallup and Healthways measured in the second quarter of this year are among the lowest levels recorded since 2009. The diabetes rate was below 11% throughout 2008, but then began to increase in 2009 and 2010.

Gallup and Healthways measure the diabetes rate in the United States by asking Americans: “Have you ever been told by a physician or nurse that you have diabetes?” The question does not discern between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

And, the United States obesity rate has decreased slightly.

The graph:

Good news and since type 2 diabetes (the most common form of diabetes) is preventable with diet and exercise, it only makes sense that when the obesity rate declines so will diabetes.
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