Monday, November 14, 2011

An article in the Boston Globe today, dealt with the prediction of  substantial increases in diabetes worldwide.  The article states:

     "According to the World Health Organization, there are about 346 million people worldwide with diabetes, with more than 80 percent of deaths occurring in developing countries. The agency projects diabetes deaths will double by 2030 and said the International Diabetes Federation's prediction was possible.

     "It's a credible figure," said Gojka Roglic, head of WHO's diabetes unit. "But whether or not it's correct, we can't say."
     Roglic said the projected future rise in diabetes cases was because of aging rather than the obesity epidemic. Most cases of diabetes are Type 2, the kind that mainly hits people in middle age, and is linked to weight gain and a sedentary lifestyle.
     Roglic said a substantial number of future diabetes cases were preventable. "It's worrying because these people will have an illness which is serious, debilitating, and shortens their lives," she said. "But it doesn't have to happen if we take the right interventions."

     There are several words and concepts that jump out at me from this article..........PREVENTABLE..........OBESITY.........SERIOUS, DEBILITATING, AND SHORTENS THEIR LIVES...........LINKED TO WEIGHT GAIN AND A SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE......DOESN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN.

     This is no different than the same number of people jumping in front of buses or off of bridges......it just takes longer and will cost EVERYONE more money in increased health care costs.  I'm sorry, but I'm preaching again.   PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.  It's a great concept.    Sedentary lifestyle, overeating, over indulgence in all sorts of substances are taxing our paleolithic bodies, and causing them to react the way they are designed to react, but over extended periods of time.  Eventually they give out, and are unable to handle the onslaught of food, liquor, inactivity, tobacco, drugs, etc.    As great as these bodies are, they're not Superman's body.   Can't help everyone, but YOU have a choice. 

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