A third of young adults between 18-39 years already have prediabetes, details UCLA analysis
More than 13 million adults, including one in three people between 18-39, have non-diagnosed prediabetes or diabetes, indicates a study released Thursday by the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).
In addition, 2.5 million adults have already been diagnosed with the disease, this for a total of more than 15 of the 39 million Californians who are prone or suffer from evil.
Prediabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes.It is a precursor to diabetes 2, a disease that if not controlled in time can lead to severe medical problems and even death.
Up to 30% of those who are identified as prediabetics develop type 2 diabetes in five years and up to 70% develop it in their life.
the minorities
Worse is that more than a third of minorities: Latinos (36%), native Americans (38%), Asians (31%), African Americans (38%) and the native of the Pacific Islands (43%)Between 18-39, they have prediabetes, details the study of the UCLA Health Policy Research Center paid by California Center for Public Health Advocacy (CCPHA).Among whites, the prevalence of prediabetes is 29%.
"This is the clearest indication that the diabetes epidemic is out of control and worsen," said Dr. Harold Goldstein, executive director of CCPHA."With the limited availability of healthy foods in low -income communities, a preponderance of the marketing of sodas and junk food and urban neighborhoods without safe places to play, we have created a world where diabetes is a natural consequence."
Los Angeles and the other counties that make up the lower part of the state follow this tendency of prediabetes with 33% of people between 18-39 years being affected by this health problem.
barriers to the diagnosis
Another problem, details Dr. Susan Babey leader of the study of the study and co-director of the UCLA Chronic Diseases Program, is that many people-for reasons of access to health, economic and others-do not know that they are prediabetic.
"Most insurance covers diabetes exams if you are over 45 years old, but not for younger people," explained Dr. Babey to opinion.
"Insurers should cover diabetes exams and these should be part of regular visits to the doctor to increase what people know if they have this condition," he added.
In addition, she suggests that those who know that they have prediabetes are referred to disease prevention programs.
"It has been shown that these programs reduce in the middle of the risk of progressing from diabetes prediabetes," said Dr. Babey.