Childhood Obesity - Do you have an overweight child? We offer tips to help your child lose weight and get fit!

The My Overweight Child blog will help you keep informed about the latest research, findings, and resources available to parents of overweight or obese kids. There are many knowledgeable people working on the increasingly dire problem of childhood obesity - and we want to give parents a place where they can check in regularly to see the latest studies and tips available to help you help your child lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

We invite you to add your comments - if you have feedback for the blog, would like some specific topics covered, or you just want to share your experience as a parent dealing with childhood obesity.

Monday, December 07, 2009

Diabetes Cases in U.S. Expected to Double by 2034

Two new reports on diabetes in the United States indicate that the problem is becoming more prevalent throughout the nation, and especially among individuals who are severely overweight:
  • According to research from the University of Chicago, the incidence of diabetes is expected to double in the next 25 years but the cost of treating it will triple, Spending will increase from $113 billion a year to $336 billion in 2034, when an estimated 44 million Americans will have the disease.
  • The second study from Loyola University Health System found that one in five people with diabetes are morbidly obese. Morbid obesity is defined as having a body mass index over 40. A 5'2"person weighing 218 pounds and a 6'2"person weighing 311 pounds are considered morbidly obese.
"The greatest increase in obesity has been among diabetics who are morbidly obese," said Dr. Holly Kramer, author of the report.

Type II diabetes, which was previously referred to "adult-onset", is considered a preventable disease.

Labels: health, diabetes, morbid obesity

Posted By: Aspen/CRC