| Researchers estimated that 41 million American people have pre-diabetes with blood sugar levels that put them at significant risk of developing the full-blown disease. The criteria used to diagnose people with diabetes have been restructured because of the high number of at-risk patients, who were misdiagnosed as not having the condition. Experts stated that because of the jump in the pre-diabetes rates, steps needed to be taken to prevent the likelihood of full-blown diabetes.
One of the precautions recommended was following a modest diet and participating in regular exercise.
U.S. Diabetes Statistics
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18 million Americans are afflicted with full-blown diabetes.
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Diabetes is cited as the leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart disease and amputations.
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In the United States, diabetes claims 180,000 lives each year.
Obesity has often been linked to diabetes, a condition that people often develop in their middle age, although it is becoming increasingly common at younger and younger ages.
Blood sugar levels readings below 110 milligrams per deciliter, which were once been measured by the "impaired fasting glucose" test, have since been changed. The new guidelines reflected that only readings below 100 milligrams were considered normal and anyone with a fasting glucose between 100 and 125 milligrams now fell under the category of pre-diabetic.
Candidates for the Test
Experts stressed that patients who tested positive for pre-diabetes could take preventative measures such as implementing a moderate walking regimen and working on losing 5 percent to 7 percent of their body weight to avoid developing the full-blown disease.
CBS News April 29, 2004
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