Despite significant progress in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, those affected may be slower to change their lifestyle habits.
In advance of the American Diabetes Association meeting this month, the Lancet journal published an editorial highlighting the fact that while much progress has been made in the area of diabetes medicines, far less progress has been made in the area of lifestyle changes.
Type 2 diabetes is generally preventable if a healthy diet and exercise routine are followed. Those who develop diabetes are more likely to develop a variety of other health problems throughout their lives, and they can also expect to pay higher life insurance premiums and medical costs.
“Because type 2 diabetes, which accounts for 90% of diabetes, is largely rooted in reversible social and lifestyle factors, a medical approach alone is unlikely to be the solution,” stated the Lancet editorial, which also noted that since 2000, the number of diabetics in the world has more than doubled to 285 million.
The group also cited rising rates of childhood obesity as a contributing factor to diabetes remaining one of the world’s leading killers for decades to come.